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States » EastPosted at: May 22 2025 1:03AM


Meghalaya BJP welcomes MHA’s directive on illegal immigrants

Shillong, May 21 (UNI) The Meghalaya unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Wednesday welcomed the Union Ministry of Home Affairs’ (MHA) nation-wide directive to all state governments to identify and deport illegal immigrants from Bangladesh and Myanmar.

In an order issued recently, the MHA instructed all states and union territories to form special task forces in every district to detect and deport illegal migrants within 30 days.

“Unchecked infiltration, aided by touts and political parties with vested vote bank interests, has continued for way too long, creating a demographic change across many parts of the country including Meghalaya,” Meghalaya State BJP General Secretary, Wankitbok Pohshna said .
The BJP also voiced concern over the adverse impacts of illegal immigration in Meghalaya, including in Shillong City itself raising serious concerns amongst the local population.

“The illegal migrants from Bangladesh and Myanmar are placing a serious strain on the state’s resources and are also responsible for a deteriorating law and order situation, with the rise of petty crime in many areas being attributed to such illegal immigrants from the neighbouring countries,” Pohshna said, adding that these unauthorised migrants also carry an anti-India mindset which is inimical to national security.

Meghalaya shares a 443-km international border with Bangladesh, raising concerns over increasing illegal migration into the state.

While acknowledging recent efforts by the Conrad Sangma-led government to identify and act against illegal immigrants, the BJP feels that such action should have been initiated long ago, without waiting for a directive from the Central government.

Stating that the task force exists in every district which is responsible for the identification of illegal immigrants in the State, the BJP leader said the effectiveness of task force has been limited, considering the swelling ranks of Bangladeshi and Rohingyas in Meghalaya as most local people would testify.
On the other hand, the BJP has called on the state government to overhaul these district-level task forces and expand their scope by involving local headmen and traditional institutions (dorbars) to assist in identifying the illegal immigrants.

“Once they (illegal immigrants) are identified, competent authorities should take over investigations and follow due process,” the BJP leader said.
Reiterating its demand for the immediate and full implementation of the Meghalaya Residents Safety and Security Act (MRSSA) in letter and spirit, Pohshna described the state Act as a vital legal safeguard against unauthorised migration that remains on paper till date.
The Meghalaya state BJP unit also announced plans to send a delegation to engage in consultations with the state Home Ministry about the actual situation on ground with regards to illegal immigration. UNI RRK SSP
Tags: #Meghalaya BJP welcomes MHA’s directive on illegal immigrants
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