Native or outsider? Mob attack on 6 boys in Meghalaya reignites the debate

The incident has provoked widespread discussion across Shillong, putting issues like land rights and illegal immigrants back on the front burner

The recent attack on six boys from the Bengali community in Shillong has reignited the ‘native’ versus ‘outsiders’ debate in the Indian state of Meghalaya. The deeply entrenched idea that only indigenous people — known as ‘tribals’ — should have rights to stay, own land or secure good jobs there, is contributing to the marginalisation of people who aren't originally from the area.

A hilly state whose name means “the abode of clouds” in Sanskrit, Meghalaya is an epicentre for many of North East India's indigenous tribes. Bordering both the Indian state of Assam and neighbouring Bangladesh, the three indigenous