There have been reports of KSU volunteers harassing people traversing the national highway at Mawryngkneng, close to the state capital. Several people were reported to have been 'detained' by the student body, which asked them to provide valid documents to prove the authenticity of their citizenship.
The state government issued a stern warning to NGOs not to take law into their own hands on the issue of checking influx in the state. Chief secretary WMS Pariat said NGOs could only assist the administration in detecting illegal immigrants.
Meanwhile, chief minister Mukul Sangma iterated that any attempt at checking infiltration into the state must be dealt with in a manner that is "institutionalized" while involving all stake holders in a "more holistic manner".
"The state urgently needs a system that is strong so that the menace is dealt with in a manner that is permanent by invoking suitable laws and empowering all stake holders," he emphasized.
"Traditional institutions can help in dealing with the issue to a great extent, especially in tracing people of questionable origin as they have direct knowledge on who resides where," the CM said.
He referred to the two high-level committees that have recently been notified by the government to review the prevailing situation in the state and suggest a multi-pronged strategy and approach to deal with the issue.
He also asked them to examine and outline the role of traditional institutions and their empowerment in dealing with the problem of influx and to recommend a comprehensive institutionalized mechanism as considered necessary.