BJP leader wants implementation of NRC in Garo Hills areas of Meghalaya

A Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader has advocated implementation of the National Register of Citizens (NRC) in the plain belt areas of West Garo Hills district in Meghalaya, fearing that the area could turn into a “Mini Bangladesh”.
“Our region has witnessed an alarming and unchecked increase in the population of Bengali-speaking Muslims, many of whom appear to be undocumented and potentially illegal immigrants from across the border in Bangladesh,” Peterjob Sangma BJP’s general secretary from West Garo Hills said in a letter addressed to Union Home Minister Amit Shah.
“This issue, which was once sporadic, has now become a systematic demographic encroachment, giving rise to serious concern among the indigenous and local communities of the Garo Hills,” he said.
Sangma said the plain belt areas, particularly Phulbari, Rajabala, Tikrikilla, and adjacent villages, have witnessed an “alarming and unchecked increase” of undocumented and potentially illegal immigrants from across the border in Bangladesh.
“There is growing fear among locals that West Garo Hills could turn into a ‘Mini Bangladesh,’ leading to a situation where the native people become minorities in their own land,” Sangma informed the Union Home Minister.
“These alleged illegal immigrants have encroached public and forest land without legal documentation, illegally acquired and occupied agricultural land and therefore contributed to an increase in undocumented voters and ration card holders,” he further added.
Despite repeated concerns and democratic efforts by NGOs, youth organizations, and traditional bodies, Sangma alleged that both the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council and the Meghalaya government has failed to take concrete action to address the influx issue.
“There has been no comprehensive survey or verification of the new population clusters. The Border Security Forces (BSF) and local police remain under-resourced in this part of the state, allowing easy cross-border movement through porous terrain,” he said.
Moreover, he said the absence of strict and enforceable immigration checks, population audits and local oversight mechanisms has led to deep-rooted frustration and insecurity among the indigenous populace.
Urging the Union Home Minister for implementation of the NRC in the plain belt area of Garo Hills with a well-defined cut-off date and proper verification mechanisms, Sangma said that central security agencies should be deployed, if necessary, to conduct an independent audit of population settlements and land records in suspected areas.
“A Special Investigative Task Force must be formed to examine illegal land acquisition and voter registration in newly settled areas,” Sangma said.