SHILLONG: In a bid to clear the air surrounding the Umling project, Tourism Minister Timothy D. Shira has stated that the upcoming facility will act as a synchronized shield against illegal influx while serving as a primary registration hub for genuine tourists.
The Minister sought to defuse tensions by outlining a blueprint that balances visitor hospitality with stringent security, though he deliberately steered clear of commenting on the controversial commercial food court aspect to avoid escalating the dispute.
According to the state’s plan, the Umling facility will house two dedicated administrative rooms to handle visitor paperwork. Shira protected the government’s decision to build hospitality amenities and restaurants at the site, explaining that because rigorous document screening is a time-consuming affair, travelers require a decent space to rest and wait.
He argued that the checking process is a vital security requirement to verify whether entrants are legitimate Indian citizens or properly documented foreign nationals, thereby preventing individuals with malicious intentions from entering Meghalaya under false pretenses.
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The Minister drew comparisons to Nagaland’s strict Inner Line Permit (ILP) checkpoints to illustrate how the Umling facility will monitor incoming vehicles and travelers. He fiercely rejected criticisms from local pressure groups who accuse the government of lacking the political will to fight illegal immigration.
Shira pointed out that the integration of the existing infiltration check gate with the new registration centre establishes an ironclad security layer that leaves no room for further demands.
The containment strategy is being replicated elsewhere in the state, with Shira revealing that a twin facility has already been constructed at Berubari in the Garo Hills to verify visitor documentation under the exact same operational model.
Addressing the friction with the Khasi Students’ Union (KSU), which recently forced work to stop at Umling, the Minister confirmed that the administration has engaged with the union.
The Deputy Commissioner of Ri-Bhoi has held talks with KSU leadership to ensure the project can proceed without disruption, though the Minister declined to speculate on the union’s ultimate intentions.
Shira concluded by noting that the government has already legally responded to the ongoing court challenges regarding the Umling entry point.
(4FrontMedia news)
