Shillong, Apr 21: The problem of infiltration from Bangladesh through the porous international border into Meghalaya has come to light once again as four persons of suspected nationality were apprehended by Hynniewtrep Youth Council (HYC) at Shella near Indo-Bangla border in East Khasi Hills district on Monday.
In view of the incident, the HYC has urged the state government to seriously address the issue of illegal immigration into the state.
In a press conference, HYC president Roykupar Synrem said, “Today at around 8 am, HYC members of Shella unit apprehended the four persons coming from Dalia located near the border fencing with Bangladesh. On being questioned, they said they had reached Dalia locality last night and today they were supposed to go back to Shillong and then to Assam.”
However, they could not give the name of the owner of the house they had stayed last night. They also could not tell by what vehicle they came to the village, Synrem said.
Although they produced EPIC cards, Aadhaar and PAN card as documentary proof, it was found that one of them possessed two EPIC cards with different names – Samchul Hoque and Samchul Bor – issued on the same date by an electoral officer from Nagaon district, Assam, he said.
On further checking, the HYC leader said, photo of Bangladeshi currency was found in one of their mobile phones.
The HYC members, with serious doubt about their nationality, handed them over to Shella police station.
According to Synrem, SP of East Khasi Hills district sent SDPO of Sohra to Shella police station to investigate the matter.
The SDPO said the suspected persons informed police about their plan to go to NEIGRIHMS for treatment, but had no answer as to how they landed up at Shella.
“This has created a lot of doubt in our mind and the police department should take the matter very seriously by conducting thorough investigation in the matter,” he added
Expressing concern over infiltration from Bangladesh, Synrem said HYC was informed by credible sources about a lot of movement of people crossing over to India in the area.
Referring to union home minister Amit Shah’s statement over infiltration from Bangladesh with “valid documents”, the HYC president said, “If these people can get EPIC, Aadhaar or PAN card from West Bengal or Assam, they can easily enter Meghalaya and once they come here, they will reside and after sometime they will become the residents of the state.”
He urged the state government to take the issue of influx seriously and take necessary steps to stop it.
Further, Synrem said COMSO had written to chief minister regarding the status of ILP and MRSSA amendment bill, 2020 and till date they are yet to get any reply from him.
