Legislation needed against illegal immigration: Meghalaya CM

Meghalaya Chief Minister Mukul Sangma Friday stressed the need for legislation to tackle the issue of illegal migration and covering the whole gamut of concerns from the point of the influx to those who have already entered the state.

"There is need to have a comprehensive solution to the influx and illegal immigration issue through constitutional means," Sangma said at the opening of a consultative meet on a draft Meghalaya Regulation of Landlords and Verification of Tenants Bill, which aims to tackle the burgeoning influx issue.

Urging citizens to contribute their bit to checking the influx and illegal immigration, he said the draft bill should strike a balance between the state's needed growth and the security of the upcoming generations.

The Tenancy Bill proposes to check the antecedents of people who seek to rent premises in the state, and also puts the onus upon landlords to rent out their properties responsibly.

"Certain groups have thought that the Inner-Line Permit (ILP) was the only answer (to influx and illegal immigration). But the government has been very clear and transparent in its stand. It is, therefore, important for all to take advantage of this public consultation platform to actively participate, as this is for the future, and not just for the government of the day," the chief minister said.

Appealing to NGOs and traditional heads to come forward and be part of the consultative process, Sangma said it was an opportunity to share ideas and address the issue of influx collectively.

Meghalaya is experiencing a series of shutdowns, night road blockades and picketing of offices from Sep 2 after the breakdown of talks between the government and the protesting groups on the ILP issue.

Several cases of arson were reported in East and West Khasi Hill districts and more than 50 pro-ILP activists have been arrested.

The statewide agitation has claimed two lives.