SHILLONG: The Khasi Students’ Union (KSU) has voiced strong dissatisfaction after a meeting with state officials about the Umling entry point facilitation centre, criticizing the government’s approach as fragmented and inadequate for comprehensive border security.
Former KSU General Secretary Donald V. Thabah stated that the union was disappointed to find only Tourism Department officials present, with no representatives from key administrative, security, or screening departments.
While tourism officials promised to expand the centre’s space from 1,000 to 4,000 square feet, the KSU said it could not yet assess whether the new plan would suffice without consulting its jailed leaders and further review.
KSU raised concerns about the centre’s limited infrastructure—just a few rooms for multiple departments—warning this would result in bottlenecks for the diverse influx of laborers, students, officials, and business travelers, not just tourists.
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The union demanded dedicated counters for labor, health, education, and other departments to ensure effective screening.
Regarding the proposed Rattacherra facilitation centre, tourism officials said land acquisition was only halfway complete and could not confirm the total area or its suitability as a full entry-exit point.
Calling the meeting unproductive, the KSU urged the state government to adopt a coordinated, multi-departmental strategy and to involve all relevant administrative heads—especially from labor and home affairs—in future discussions.
The union stressed that the holistic implementation of the Meghalaya Residents Safety and Security Act (MRSSA) remains its primary demand.
(4FrontMedia news)
