Allies urge Meghalaya government to check influx of illegal migrants

The Meghalaya government's coalition partners on Thursday urged it to take steps to prevent influx of illegal Bangladeshi migrants, excluded from the draft NRC in Assam, into the eastern state.

"The ruling Meghalaya Democratic Alliance (MDA) partners held a meeting and discussed the National Register of Citizens. They advised the state government to take steps to check infiltration, including identification of areas in Meghalaya to set up more checkposts," Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong told journalists after the meeting.

The MDA meet chaired by Chief Minister Conrad Sangma was attended by representatives of the National People's Party, United Democratic Party, People's Democratic Front, Hill State People's Democratic Party, Bharatiya Janata Party, Nationalist Congress Party, besides three Independents.

Tynsong said the coalition partners also unanimously supported the candidature of NPP supremo Conrad Sangma in the August 23 by-elections to South Tura Assembly seat.

The coalition partners also stressed the need to strengthen existing laws and to revisit the Meghalaya Residents Safety and Security Act, 2016.

The MDA partners, however, are divided over support in Ranikor by-election, wherein former Assembly Speaker and five-time legislator Martin M. Danggo of the NPP is facing opposition from certain MDA partners.

--IANS

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