Entry-exit points to come up in Meghalaya to check illegal immigrants

Shillong, Feb. 15 (IANS): Chief Minister Conrad Sangma on Friday said that entry and exit points will be set up in Meghalaya to check the influx of illegal immigrants.

“We have finalised locations for entry-exit points in 4-5 areas with the maximum flow of people. Hopefully in the next four months, we will be able to start the work on these in East Jaintia Hills, Ri Bhoi, West Khasi Hills, North Garo Hills and West Garo Hills,” he told journalists.

Sangma said his government has also almost completed the permission work for entry-exit points at Mendipathar railway station in the North Garo Hills. “Home Minister James K Sangama and Urban Affairs Minister Hamlet Dohling will visit the railway station for inspection in a few days. The entry-exit point in Mendipathar would be opened very soon,” he said.

On the demand for Inner Line Permit (ILP), the Chief Minister said the government was exploring all possible options to ensure that illegal immigration is curtailed without the economy getting impacted.

“That balance has to be maintained and the government has to be careful and take all aspects into consideration before putting in place any policy or system. We are not closed to any idea, but we would like to explore something that will suit our state, its economy and its people,” he said.

Calling entry-exit points the infrastructure and Inner Line Permit (ILP) the mechanism to check illegal immigrants, he pointed out that the government now needs to have a system. “Otherwise even with ILP in place, how will you check if you do not have a system in place?” he asked.