SHILLONG, APR 9: Social Organisations of Meghalaya Against Land Alienation (SOMALA) today criticized the idea proposed by the chief minister Conrad K Sangma to the Centre for issuing of work permits to Bangladeshi nationals to address the challenge of infiltration.
In a statement issued here on Monday, SOMALA convener W Anthony said, “We are convinced that the idea of issuing work permit to Bangladeshi nationals do not solve the challenge of infiltration but it is akin to state sponsored illegal infiltration of Bangladeshi into Meghalaya with dire consequences.”
He said the policy of issuing work permit to Bangladesh may suit develop countries like US, Dubai and UK but it does not suit underdeveloped state like Meghalaya where the indigenous people themselves have no work to earn adequately for their sustenance and livelihood.
According to him, employment opportunity is hard to come by and employment amongst the youth and the indigenous people is staggeringly low.
“This is the gap which the government should pay greatest attention and address this issue on top priority basis, leaving aside the idea of giving work permit to Bangladeshi,” Anthony said.
He also pointed out that the chief minister had recently sought central intervention to have road connectivity between Bangladesh and Meghalaya through Shillong-Dhaka and Tura-Dhaka routes.
On the other hand, Anthony said while the social organization are crying hoarse over the implementation of the Inner Line Permit (ILP), the road connectivity will play an opposite role in this regard.
“We need central intervention to go slow in this respect of road connectivity until the ILP issue is finalised,” he stated.
The SOMALA is comprises of the Khasi Students’ Union, Civil Society Women Organization, Federation of Khasi-Jaintia and Garo People, Grand Council of Chiefs of Meghalaya, and others.
By Our Reporter
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