SHILLONG, JULY 31: Over 1500 people suspected to be “illegal immigrants” were detected and push back by the Khasi Students’ Union (KSU) during the intensive checkings conducted through its own “infiltration check gates” set up in the 3 districts of Khasi-Jaintia Hills region.
The KSU’s infiltration check gates were set up at 20th mile in Ri Bhoi District, Ratacherra in East Jaintia Hills District and Athiabari in West Khasi Hills District on Tuesday following the release of the National Register of Citizens (NRC) by the Assam government.
The much-anticipated second and final draft of the National Register of Citizens (NRC) was published on Monday with 2.9 crore names out of the total 3.29 crore applicants in Assam.
The names of 40.07 lakh applicants did not find a place in the historic document, touted to be a proof of Assamese identity.
The first draft of the NRC was published during the intervening night of December 31 and January 1 this year, containing 1.9 crore names.
On contacting, KSU chief Lambokstarwell Marngar said, “The decision to set up the infiltration check gates is the first step taken by the Union to ensure no illegal immigrant gets to enter the state.”
Responding to a query, Marngar also maintained that the Union will continue to conduct intensive checkings on illegal immigrants till such time that the state government put in place anti-influx mechanisms.
“Four years we have waited yet the state government fails to show any seriousness on the urgent need to set up the entry and exit points,” he said adding “We are concern that the state may be a target since over 40 lakhs people are excluded from the NRC list of Assam.”
The KSU is one of the pro-Inner Line Permit (ILP) groups which have been demanding the implementation of the comprehensive mechanisms to curb the inflow of influx into the state.
Asked, the KSU chief said that over 1000 people without valid documents were detected by the activists of the Union from Ratacherra.
“Up to 4pm, our members have detected over 1000 people coming from Assam in more than 30 trucks at Ratacherra. On checking, almost all of them do not have any valid documents to prove that they are Indian citizens and accordingly they were sent back,” he said.
He further informed that similarly in 20th mile, Ri Bhoi District, nearly 400 such people were detected and push back. However, officials of the district administration including police came and stop the checking conducted by the KSU activists in 20th mile.
“There was heated argument with the police. However, later the district administration assured to allow our members to conduct checking at Byrni where the government check gate is located. If it is not effective, we will continue checking on our own,” Marngar said.
On the other hand, sources informed that Assam police also attempted to stop the KSU members from conducted the checking on vehicles coming from Assam at Ratacherra but the latter refused to listen to them.
According to sources, later the district magistrates and police of East Jaintia Hills had to intervene.
Admitting on this, Marngar said that the district administration of East Jaintia Hills will convene a meeting with the KSU – Jaintia Hills Unit tomorrowto discuss on how to strengthen the infiltration check gate at Ratacherra.
By Our Reporter
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