Shillong, Apr 22 (PTI) The Voice of the People Party (VPP) on Wednesday alleged that Meghalaya lacks any official estimate of illegal immigrants and demanded a “foolproof mechanism” to detect and deport them.
VPP chief Ardent M Basaiawmoit made the statement after a rally.
“As of now, there is no proper record; there is no estimate that the government has come out with, unlike in Assam,” Basaiawmoit said.
Citing figures placed by the Assam government, he claimed there has been a consistent rising trend in illegal immigrants in the neighbouring state, while in Meghalaya, there is no such exercise that the government has carried out.
“Simultaneously, the government has to carry out a foolproof exercise to detect these illegal immigrants. They should not be included in the census; they should be detected and deported,” the VPP legislator said.
He also warned that enforcement measures in Assam could have spillover effects in Meghalaya.
Indicating a shift in strategy, Basaiawmoit said the party would not submit its demands formally.
“We are not going to give anything in writing to the state government. Let the government get information through the media only,” he said.
The VPP supremo said the party will march towards the state secretariat “at the right time” to press for its demands.
The party would hold meetings across districts, he said.
The rally also flagged concerns over the Meghalaya Public Service Commission, District Selection Committees, pending teachers’ demands and unresolved border disputes, with the party alleging that the government has failed to address the aspirations of the Khasi-Jaintia community. PTI JOP NN
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