Shillong, Jan 6: The Meghalaya government has instructed deputy commissioners and police to take steps to check possible movement of immigrants to the state in view of the publication of National Register of Citizen’s (NRC) first draft in Assam.

Chief minister, Mukul Sangma said that steps have been taken as per the mandate of the law, including the Meghalaya Residents Safety and Security Act, 2016 that should be implemented as part of the comprehensive mechanisms to check influx and illegal migrants in the state.

He said that instructions have been given to all deputy commissioners and superintendents of police to deal with the issue, adding that the DGP of the state is also reviewing the situation.

Meanwhile the chief minister accused the BJP-led NDA government of “trying to legalise immigrants” by proposing amendment of the Citizenship Act, 1955.

He said that the move of the Centre move to amend the Citizenship Act, 1955, by getting the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2016, passed by Parliament, would make illegal migrants from neighbouring countries including Bangladesh eligible for citizenship in India.

“If this act is amended, the whole fallout will be on the Northeast. Do you think those migrants from Bangladesh will go to Punjab, Kerela or Rajasthan? They will look at the Northeast as their destination. This is not acceptable to the people of Assam, Meghalaya and the rest of the Northeast,” the chief minister said.