Meghalaya CM to take pro-active steps to curb influx

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," Sangma told reporters.

Lakhs of people were displaced in various districts of lower Assam following clashes between tribals and minorities.

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

The need of the hour was to have complete mapping of each and everyone in a locality, an exercise which the government intends to put in place, the chief minister said.

"This would be a much more effective mechanism than ILP. ILP check points are put up only at entry points of vehicles. Illegal migrants would not like to come through such points. They will always find other ways," he 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."

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

Meghalaya police have only one infiltration branch which has been criticised by NGOs as ineffective.