KSU plans public consultations to press Meghalaya government to implement MRSSA
Khasi Students’ Union plans consultations with Dorbar Shnongs and the public to urge the Meghalaya government to implement the MRSSA, 2016, citing delays and an
The Khasi Students’ Union (KSU) has announced plans for a series of public meetings and consultations with Dorbar Shnongs across Meghalaya. The union says it wants the state government to implement the Meghalaya Residents Safety and Security Act (MRSSA), 2016 immediately, as it raises concerns about an increase in the movement of people into the state.
KSU general secretary Reuben Najiar told reporters that the union believes the government has delayed enforcing the 2016 Act. He said the reasons given for the delay do not match information the union obtained through its own inquiries.
KSU alleges delay on MRSSA and questions government explanations
Najiar said the union has not received a fresh update on the Umling Facilitation Centre. KSU alleged that the centre has been turned into a food court and said the issue was discussed during a meeting of its KSU North Khasi Hills District Unit. Members suggested carrying out a site inspection as part of their next steps.
The union also disputed the government’s earlier claim that the MRSSA matter was pending with the Ministry of Home Affairs and linked to proceedings before the High Court. Najiar said the union used the Right to Information (RTI) process and found that the Ministry of Home Affairs had no knowledge of the 2016 Act-related matter and that the High Court had not disposed of the case.
2019 amendment and debate over how to manage entry
According to the KSU, the Meghalaya Residents Safety and Security (Amendment) Act, 2019, is still under examination by the Centre. Najiar said the amendment has not yet received the President’s assent, and he described recommendations from the Centre as having flagged provisions as unconstitutional.
While KSU said the 2019 amendment deals mainly with penalty and regulation-related provisions, it argued that regulating entry into the state can only be done effectively through the Inner Line Permit (ILP). Najiar said it would be misleading to suggest that enforcing the 2019 amendment alone can address the influx of people.
The union also linked its concerns to eviction drives reported in neighbouring Assam and West Bengal. KSU said it does not want Meghalaya to face problems caused by population movement from other states, and it described the upcoming consultations as a way to build pressure for the immediate enforcement of the MRSSA, 2016.
