Meghalaya plans entry/exit points to check illegal immigration

In an attempt to check inflow of outsiders and illegal immigrants into the state, the Meghalaya government has set up a committee to find out location for setting up 'entry and exit' points of the state.

"We have constituted a committee that will identify ideal locations for setting up entry and exit points in the state," Chief Minister Mukul Sangma told reporters after a meeting here.

To be headed by the chief of the Directorate of Anti-Infiltration, the panel's other officers would be drawn from departments of revenue, transport, tourism and labour.

"The committee has been directed to complete the task within two months," Sangma said, adding the committee would also look into the infrastructural requirements for setting up the proposed entry and exit points.

Various groups had put pressure on the government to check influx at a meeting in April and they have also stressed the need to have entry permits at entry points.

The Chief Minister, however, assured tourists and bona fide citizens that they would not be inconvenienced at the entry and exit points.

"The working model is being designed in a way that there will be minimum inconvenience to the people as they enter and exit the state," Sangma said.

The personnel at the entry points would divide entrants into several groups like students, tourists, professionals and others before allowing them entry.

There would be facilities for the waiting people so that they did not thing it as a bad experience, he added.