Influx: Entry & exit points identified

SHILLONG, AUG 20: A government constituted committee headed by the Anti-Infiltration Directorate director identified several locations in the Khasi and Jaintia Hills region for setting up of the ‘entry and exit’ points to curb inflow of illegal immigration and influx into the state.

Anti-Infiltration director SK Jain informed a delegation of the 13 ngos who had demanded implementation of a ‘comprehensive mechanism’ to address the influx issue when they met him on Wednesday to enquire about the status.

“We were informed that the committee has identify several locations in the Khasi and Jaintia Hills region suitable for the setting up of the entry and exit points to regulate the inflow of illegal immigration and influx into our state,” Khasi Students’ Union (KSU) president Daniel Khyriem told reporters after the meeting.

Jain, who is also the chairman of the committee informed that these locations identified also includes along the inter-state and international borders falling under the six districts of the Khasi-Jaintia Hills region, Khyriem revealed.

Some of places identified included Ratacherra, a village in East Jaintia hills district having borders with Assam as well as Dawki in West Jaintia hills district situation along the international border with niegbouring Bangladesh.

Khyriem said, “However, the process of identifying the locations is still on in the five districts of Garo Hills region.”

“It is only after completing the entire process of identification the suitable locations, the committee would then submit a report to the state government for examination and approval,” the KSU leader said.

The committee constituted by the state government on July last was also directed to complete the task within two months time.

Besides identifying, the committee was also given the responsibility to look into the infrastructural requirements to be set up in these proposed entry and exit points.

The exit and entry points will segregate people like students, the tourists, professionals and those coming for various purposes and allow them for expeditious registration, checking and passing through entry and exit points.

The 13 ngos has also decided to meet other committees constituted by the state government.

“We will also meet the chairmen of the other two committees headed by Deputy Chief Minister, Rowel Lyngdoh and Chief Secretary PBO Warjri to look into bills relating to benami trade and verification of tenants,” Khyriem informed.- By Our Reporter