Shillong, Aug 16: Anti-influx NGOs slammed the state government on Friday for delaying the formation of District Task Forces (DTFs) as mandated by the Meghalaya Residents Safety and Security Act (MRSSA), 2016 to check influx.
A joint delegation of the Khasi Students’ Union (KSU), Federation of Khasi Jaiñtia and Garo People (FKJGP) and Hynñiewtrep National Youth Front (HNYF) on Friday met the deputy commissioner of East Khasi Hills Matsiewdor W Nongbri to follow up the matter.
The three groups are part of the 13 NGOs that demand implementation of the ‘comprehensive mechanisms’ which include the setting up of entry-exit points to address the long pending issue.
After the meeting, KSU president, Lambokstarwell Marngar told reporters that the DTFs have so far been constituted only in East Khasi Hills and South West Khasi Hills, which are yet to function and yet to be provided with rules.
Stating that the Meghalaya Residents Safety and Security Rules have already been passed in 2017 Marngar, “We hope the secretariat is not just a stock room to keep important documents, acts and rules, without implementing them.â€
He said that the role of DTFs was to maintain the database of all tenants residing in their respective jurisdictions adding that this will help in detecting illegal entry of outsiders or anti-social elements into the state.
“But it is unfortunate that there is completely lack of sincerity on the part of the state government to address the issue,†he added.
FKJGP president Wellbirth Rani said there has been undue delay as the government took almost more than 2 years to start the setting up of just one entry-point at Umling in Ri Bhoi District not to talk of other locations.
“Pending the setting up of the entry-exit points, we demand from the government to immediately ensure the functioning of the DTF in all districts to control the entry of outsiders,†he said while informing that the DC of East Khasi Hills has assured to take necessary steps.