SHILLONG: Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma has issued a sharp challenge to opposition parties, urging them to move beyond what he described as “opposition for the sake of opposing” and instead work constructively with the government on the sensitive and complex issue of illegal immigration in Meghalaya.
Speaking on the matter, the Chief Minister said political point-scoring only weakens the state’s ability to address infiltration and border management, stressing that the government’s sole objective is to check illegal influx and safeguard Meghalaya’s demographic and security interests.
Clarifying the government’s position, Sangma said debates often get stuck around mechanisms such as the Inner Line Permit (ILP) or the Meghalaya Residents Safety and Security Act (MRSSA), while losing sight of the primary goal.
“The real mission is to stop illegal immigration,” Sangma asserted. “Whether through existing laws or new legal mechanisms, the government is committed to empowering enforcement agencies with the authority they need to protect our borders.”
Addressing criticism over delays in fully operationalising the MRSSA, the Chief Minister revealed what he termed a critical legal flaw inherited from previous administrations.
He explained that while the MRSSA Rules provide for the establishment of entry and exit checkpoints, the original Act itself does not explicitly mention such provisions.
“As per constitutional principles, Rules cannot override an Act,” Sangma said, adding that this legal contradiction has deprived the government of the authority to legally sustain check-gates.
He further revealed that attempts to amend the Act ran into procedural hurdles, with hesitation from the Governor’s office, leaving the state stuck in a legislative stalemate.
Emphasising that the government is not working in isolation, Sangma announced plans for a comprehensive consultative process involving political parties, pressure groups, and civil society organisations.
The government’s approach, he said, requires constructive dialogue to move beyond political confrontation, bridging differences between the expectations of the Central Government and the aspirations of the people of Meghalaya and exploring modern surveillance tools and legal frameworks to monitor entry and exit points without violating constitutional safeguards.
Defending the current implementation of the MRSSA, the Chief Minister said the Act is already operational in several villages and localities, despite financial and infrastructural challenges.
He appealed to both the public and opposition parties not to reject proposed reforms before they are formally presented.
“We are looking for a permanent solution, not temporary patches,” Sangma said. “Very soon, we will invite all political parties and NGOs for formal consultations to ensure that the path we choose is in the best interest of Meghalaya’s future.”
