Shillong , November 3: Ten pressure groups and civil society organisations in Meghalaya have issued a 30-day ultimatum to the State Government, demanding the effective implementation of existing laws and mechanisms aimed at protecting the socio-economic and political interests of indigenous communities, failing which they have threatened to launch a public agitation.
In a joint letter addressed to Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma on Tuesday, the organisations expressed serious concern over what they described as the government’s prolonged delay and lack of progress in enforcing laws intended to safeguard indigenous communities against the influx of outsiders. The organisations include the Federation of Khasi Jaiñtia and Garo People (FKJGP), Hynñiewtrep National Youth Front (HNYF), Ri-Bhoi Youth Federation (RBYF), Jaintia Students Union (JSU), Garo Students Union (GSU), A-Chik Youth Welfare Organisation (AYWO), Association for Democracy and Empowerment (ADE), Federation for A-Chik Freedom (FAF), All A-Chik Youth Welfare Society (AAYWS) and A-Chik Holistic Awakening Movement (AHAM). The joint organisations sought clarification from the State Government over the alleged failure to implement several laws and measures intended to protect the interests of the Khasi, Jaiñtia and Garo communities.
Among their key demands were the effective implementation of the Meghalaya Residents Safety and Security Act (MRSSA), 2016, the establishment of Entry and Exit Points, and enforcement of the Meghalaya Identification Registration (Safety & Security) of Migrant Workers Act, 2020. The organisations also raised concerns over measures relating to inter-state and international boundary issues and demanded the implementation of the Meghalaya Benami Transactions Prohibition and Detection Act. They maintained that these laws and mechanisms were intended to protect indigenous communities from the impact of the unchecked influx of outsiders entering Meghalaya from neighbouring states and countries.
However, the organisations alleged that the government’s lack of political will to strictly enforce these laws had created serious concerns over the future security and interests of the indigenous population. They warned that continued delays in implementing the existing legal provisions could pose a threat to the socio-economic and political interests of the Khasi, Jaiñtia and Garo communities.
The organisations further pointed out that demands for effective mechanisms to safeguard indigenous communities had been repeatedly raised and submitted to successive state governments since 2013–14. Despite years of representations and appeals, they alleged that little progress had been made towards implementing the necessary safeguards.
Expressing dissatisfaction with the government’s response, the ten organisations demanded immediate action and a clear explanation regarding the status of the pending measures. They warned that if the State Government failed to address their demands within 30 days, they would be compelled to launch a public agitation to press for the implementation of the laws.
The organisations reiterated that the government must demonstrate its commitment to protecting the rights and interests of Meghalaya’s indigenous communities by ensuring the effective enforcement of existing legislation and security mechanisms.
