Shillong, July 13: In response to incidents of pressure groups checking undocumented migrant workers, UDP’s Nongpoh legislator, Mayralborn Syiem, has called for the urgent implementation of an Inner Line Permit (ILP) in Meghalaya. Syiem emphasized that the ILP is essential for regulating the entry and exit of individuals and ensuring proper record-keeping.

Syiem stated, “With regard to illegal immigration or the check of illegal people who enter our state, it is a fact that an Inner Line Permit (ILP) is the need of the hour. It is very important to have ILP in our state to check the illegal entry. For those who enter legally, there should be a proper record of when they enter and when they exit.”

Highlighting the pending Meghalaya Residents Safety and Security Act (MRSSA) Amendment Bill, Syiem urged the state government to engage with Governor Phagu Chauhan to secure his assent. He stressed, “The amendment bill was brought in 2021, and it is still pending approval from the Governor of Meghalaya. I urge the government to pursue this matter so that the bill becomes a full-fledged act. Even if we don’t have an ILP, the proper implementation of the MRSSA will help curb illegal entry and maintain records of who is entering and exiting the state. This is very important, especially for laborers, tourists, and anyone entering the state.”

Meanwhile, pressure groups across Khasi Hills have been inspecting enterprises and verifying the documents of migrant workers, sending back those found without proper documentation. Addressing the actions of these groups, Syiem remarked, “In a vibrant democracy, anxiety is there. This is a long-pending issue, be it the ILP or the implementation of the Meghalaya Residents Safety and Security Act. The NGOs are doing their part, but anything we do should be as per the law prescribed in our state.”

It may be mentioned that Chief Minister Conrad Sangma informed recently that four FIRs have been registered against organisations involved in checking papers and assaulting labourers. He clarified that there is no “work permit” in the state, but there is a “mandatory registration” of migrant workers with the Labour department, and contractors are responsible for registering these workers. Sangma emphasized that “nobody is authorised to check these papers of the workers,” and such actions are against the law. The mandatory registration aims to ensure the safety of migrant workers and maintain a database of labourers in the state.

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