​More anti-influx measures needed: CM​

SHILLONG, JUN 3: Chief Minister Mukul Sangma said the railway when made operational will not go through the entry/exit point as there are some more supplementary measures are require to be put in place.

The setting up of entry/exit points is part of the comprehensive mechanism that the state government has come up to deal with the issue of influx and illegal immigration, following its inability to implement the ILP system in the state.

“We have to beyond this entry/exit point if we have to deal with this issue of illegal immigration and influx because the railway will not go through entry/exit point as some more supplementary measures have to be put in place,” he said.

Sangma was reacting to the recent violent protest against the construction of the railway line at Ronghona village in Ri Bhoi District, which also led to arrest of as many as seven activists of the Khasi Students’ Union (KSU).

In the past one week, the state has also witnessed series of petrol bomb attacks on government installations and vehicles especially in the three districts of the Khasi Hills region. The Congress Bhavan at Nongpoh was also affected.

Pointing out that the KSU is one among the NGOs, which have involved in the dialogue on the issue related to influx, he however expressed surprise that a particular organization has started questioning state government’s commitment.

According to him, he is also personally monitoring the whole process of setting up the entry-exit points in the different parts of the state.

Stating that the issue of connecting Meghalaya with railway is not new, Sangma said that there was a similar kind of resistant in Garo Hills, which was accordingly overcome and today the state is connected by a railway line in Mendipathar.

Asked whether the KSU would be invited for talks, the chief minister said that he would suggest the authorities concerned to engage in dialogue with the leadership of the KSU.

“Let them see what is happening in North Garo Hills (Mendipathar), whether the railway line which has been commissioned and is operational has any impact because of influx or illegal immigration,” he said.

On the other hand, he however said that the railway line when it is commissioned, it is not going to happen immediately adding we are still engaging in creating the infrastructure for connecting this part of the state with railway line.

“We say before railway line are actually commissioned and made operational, all measures are put in place, that is the commitment we have given and it is insync with what we have promised,” he maintained.

Stating that the state government has not shy away from the issue of dealing with the problem of influx, Sangma said that it had already come up with a number of legislations and entry/exit points is one of them.

“All these legislations are not just rhetorics but actions. This is a government which does what it promises and this is before us to see,” he said.

Meanwhile, the chief minister viewed the recent incidents of violence as a “problem of disconnect” by few misguided leaders belonging to one organization.

He at the same time asked the protesting group to withdraw from such kind of activities in view that the government is committed to address the issue related to influx and illegal immigration.

According to him, it is wrong when people find that indulging in violence activities to draw the attention of the government is much appropriate.

“Therefore, they must withdraw themselves from this kind of activities as government has not shy away from this issue. We have kept our promises and we will set a new benchmark for the progressive prosperity of the state,” he added.

Admitting that there are also some procedural delays in putting in place such measures, Sangma however appealed that this need not be perceived as lack of intent on the part of the government.