Shillong: The Khasi Students’ Union (KSU) has announced plans to hold a series of public meetings and consultations with Dorbar Shnongs across Meghalaya to press the state government for the immediate implementation of the Meghalaya Residents Safety and Security Act (MRSSA), 2016, amid growing concerns over the influx of people into the state.
Speaking to reporters, KSU general secretary Reuben Najiar said the union would intensify its campaign as it believes the government has unnecessarily delayed implementing the 2016 Act while citing reasons that do not stand up to scrutiny.
Najiar said the union had not received any fresh update from the government regarding the Umling Facilitation Centre, which it has alleged has been turned into a food court.
He added that the issue was discussed during the KSU North Khasi Hills District Unit meeting, where members suggested conducting a site inspection.
He claimed that the government’s earlier explanation—that the matter was pending with the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) and was also linked to proceedings before the High Court—had been contradicted by information obtained under the Right to Information (RTI) Act.
“After filing an RTI, we found that the MHA has no knowledge of the matter relating to the 2016 Act, and neither has the High Court disposed of the case,” Najiar alleged.
The KSU maintained that the government should immediately enforce the MRSSA, 2016, while the Meghalaya Residents Safety and Security (Amendment) Act, 2019, remains under examination by the Centre.
According to Najiar, the 2019 amendment has yet to receive the President’s assent because certain provisions were reportedly found to be unconstitutional based on recommendations from the Centre. Until then, he argued, there is no reason why the 2016 Act cannot be brought into force.
He further contended that the 2019 amendment primarily dealt with provisions relating to penalties and regulation, adding that regulating entry into the state can only be effectively achieved through the implementation of the Inner Line Permit (ILP).
“The only law that can regulate is the ILP. If anyone claims that the 2019 amendment alone can regulate the influx, they are misleading the public,” he said.
Expressing concern over the recent increase in the influx of people into Meghalaya, Najiar said the situation could be linked to eviction drives being carried out in neighbouring Assam and West Bengal.
“We do not want Meghalaya to suffer because of the influx resulting from developments in neighbouring states,” he said, adding that the proposed meetings with Dorbar Shnongs and the public would be aimed at building pressure on the government to implement the MRSSA without any further delay.
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