Shillong, May 8: Cabinet minister Rakkam A Sangma on Tuesday said illegal immigration will not only come through railways since Meghalaya is sharing a porous international border with Bangladesh.
Asked on the status of the request made by MLAs from South Garo Hills for extension of the railways to Baghmara and also to Dhaka, Sangma said Bangladesh situation should not stop South Garo Hills from being connected with railways adding railways doesn’t only meant for connecting the district with Dhaka in Bangladesh.
“I am sure the situation will improve and that we should work together to find a solution,” he said.
Stating that railways is not the only factor contributing to the illegal infiltration from across the border, Sangma said, “The illegal immigrant will not come through railway nor flight nor bus. They will come as it is, Meghalaya has an open border.”
He cited that, “In West Garo Hills, thousands of people are there. Did these people come through rail, or plane? No. Illegal is illegal. Our border is open; anybody can enter.”
“As per 2011 census, in South Garo Hills there are only 11,000 non-indigenous people who are not illegal immigrants. In North Garo Hills there are 8000 non-indigenous people, they are not illegal immigrants but in West Garo Hills there are more than 3.5 lakhs of non-indigenous people in the state, I don’t know if they are illegal or legal,” the minister stated.
Sangma however expressed confidence that the Sixth Schedule to the Indian Constitution is the best weapon to protect Meghalaya from illegal immigration.
“We have a strong mechanism in place, if we implement it properly. Captain Williamson Sangma used to say, ‘if somebody thinks and decides to do away with district council, he is a man who suicides himself’,” he said adding “We have the Rangbah Shnong, we have Nokma, we have district council and local authorities who will always monitor. We have a strong mechanism in the Sixth Schedule which will protect our land, our people, our interest, if we properly implement it. This is the best weapon to protect from illegal immigrants.”
He also emphasized the need for immediate implementation of the Inner Line Permit (ILP) in Meghalaya in order to effectively check illegal influx into the state.
