Correspondent
Shillong, Aug 25: Chief Minister Conrad Sangma informed the assembly on Tuesday that Meghalaya faces the entry of people of doubtful citizens from Assam, Tripura and West Bengal who claim to be residents of those states.
Replying to a short-duration discussion moved by opposition Voice of the People Party (VPP) legislator, Ardent Miller Basaiawmoit in the assembly, Sangma said such persons are sent back directly from the place where they are detected.
The Chief Minister said that the state government has adopted a series of measures to curb the illegal influx, strengthen border security, and safeguard the interests of the state’s indigenous residents.
“From 2021 till date, 736 foreign nationals staying illegally in the State have been detected and prosecuted, and 262 have been deported,” he said.
He added: those deported were sent back after completing their sentences and obtaining the necessary travel permits from their respective diplomatic missions.
Sangma said that detection, verification and deportation would continue to be carried out in accordance with the law, with continuous monitoring, inter-agency coordination and enforcement measures forming part of its broader strategy to strengthen border management and maintain public order in Meghalaya.
Stating that the Meghalaya Residents Safety and Security Act (MRSSA), 2016, has been enacted to safeguard the demographic structure and interests of indigenous inhabitants, the Chief Minister informed that the government has implemented the Meghalaya Identification, Registration (Safety and Security) of Migrant Workers Act, 2020, under which migrant workers intending to work in the state are required to register with the Labour department.
District task forces have been constituted in all 12 districts under the MRSSA, while an online registration system was launched in September 2022 in collaboration with NIC Meghalaya.
“As of now, 966 localities, 561 sub-localities, 1,653 landlords and 5,042 tenants have been registered, marking an increase from the figures presented before the Assembly in February 2026,” he said.
Sangma said a state-level committee, headed by the Principal Secretary or Secretary, Home (Political) Department, has been constituted to identify foreigners residing illegally in the state.
He said the committee is mandated to identify foreigners who have overstayed since January 1, 2011 and submit monthly reports to the Ministry of Home Affairs.
“Eighteen anti-infiltration check posts and check gates, a railway facilitation centre, and a land custom station have been established, Sangma said, adding that district special squads have also been stationed at the headquarters of
all 12 districts to conduct extensive anti-infiltration drives.
Stating that border management is a security function undertaken in close coordination between the State Police and the Border Security Force (BSF), the Chief Minister said, the BSF, being stationed near the international border, serves as the first line of defence, while the state police, deployed at nearby police stations, outposts and check posts, provides the second line of defence.
“Surveillance is maintained through regular joint patrolling and naka checking along the international border. Electronic surveillance equipment, including high-density lights, has also been installed at strategic locations to deter illegal intrusions,” he informed the assembly.
To strengthen the detection of illegal infiltration and regularly monitor anti-infiltration measures, the Chief Minister said the government has constituted 12 district task force for the detection of Bangladeshi nationals.
“These task forces undertake regular checking and special drives. Surprise checks are also conducted once every month by joint teams comprising a magistrate, personnel of the district police force, and staff of the infiltration branch,” he added.
In addition, a lead intelligence agency mechanism, with the BSF as the nodal authority, conducts regular coordination meetings with the Meghalaya Police, central paramilitary forces and central intelligence agencies, Sangma said.
Along the Meghalaya-Assam border, the Chief Minister said authorities have issued alerts to districts adjoining Assam to take preventive measures against illegal entry, particularly in the wake of the recent eviction drive in Assam.
“Effective checking is being carried out along National Highways and internal roads with the support of Village Headmen and Village Defence Parties,” he said.
On the vexed Meghalaya-Assam border dispute, Sangma said the issue had remained unresolved for decades until the two states signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) in March 2022, resolving differences in six of the 12 disputed areas.
The six areas are Tarabari, Gizang and Hahim in West Khasi Hills; Boklapara and Khanapara-Pillangkata in Ri-Bhoi; and Ratacherra in East Jaintia Hills.
In the course of his short-duration discussion, VPP legislator Basaiawmoit urged the government to further strengthen border management through better coordination between the state administration, police, border agencies and the Union government.
“Border security is not merely a national security issue. It is also a question of livelihood, demographic stability, law and order and protection of vulnerable border communities,” the VPP legislator said.