Meghalaya NGOs call night blockade

SHILLONG, Sept 11 – NGOs in Meghalaya have called night road blockade for two days from September 13 demanding stronger rules to discourage influx into the State.

The NGOs, including Khasi Students’ Union (KSU) and Federation of Khasi Jaintia and Garo People (FKJGP) and nine others, have called the night road blockade in Khasi hills, Jaintia Hills and Ri-Bhoi districts.

The night blockade would come into effect from 7 pm and end at 5 am on the two consecutive nights.

The State Government recently announced that an anti-infiltration directorate to deal with the problem of influx would be set up in the State.

However, the NGOs said that the setting up of the proposed anti-infiltration directorate was just an “eyewash” and their suggested points to curb influx were not taken seriously by the Government.

The NGOs are demanding that work permit be issued to labourers coming from outside the State, introduction of a three-tier identification card for the residents of the State and scrapping of Indo-Nepal Treaty amongst other demands.

“Our demands were not addressed by the Government. The setting up of the anti-infiltration directorate is just an eyewash and so we have decided to call the night road blockade from September 13,” Samuel Jyrwa, KSU president said after a meeting of NGOs.

He said if the Government does not respond to their demand even after the night road blockade then the NGOs would hold a public meeting and decide on the future course of action.

Meanwhile, the State Government has decided to set up the anti-infiltration directorate with the recommendation of the State Task Force on Influx.