M'laya takes strict steps to curb migrant influx from Assam

"The problem in Assam has a bearing in our state. It is necessary to be proactive and farsighted when your neighbour's house is burning," Meghalaya Chief Minister Mukul Sangma told reporters here.

Lakhs of people were displaced in various districts of lower Assam following ethnic clashes.

"We are taking stringent measures to prevent intruders from entering illegally into the state," Sangma said, adding that the inner line permit (ILP) system adopted by other north eastern states is not very effective.

"The need of the hour is to have complete mapping of each and everyone in a locality, an exercise which the government intends to put in place...This would be a much more effective mechanism than ILP, the check points of which are put up only at entry points of vehicles. Illegal migrants would not come through such points. They will always find other ways," the chief minister said.

Sangma also stressed on having an effective border management system to ensure that the porous and unfenced portion of the international border is sealed off.

"We would like to see that the border is more stringently guarded," he said.

To counter influx of illegal immigrants, Sangma said an infiltration directorate under the home department is on the cards, besides having labour inspectors in all blocks of the state.