GSU vows to evict illegal Bangladeshi nationals in Garo hills

Shillong, Aug 10 (UNI) After the All Assam Student's Union (AASU) decided to fight tooth and nail against the infiltration of illegal Bangladeshi nationals, Garo Students' Union (GSU) has decided to launch an eviction drive against illegal Bangladeshi immigrants settled in Meghalaya's Garo hills.

''We do not want to see the Assam-like situation where administration and student bodies are finding it difficult to control the menace of influx,'' GSU president Utzol Sangma told UNI here today.

The GSU has planned to launch the eviction drive with the help of the district administration in the three districts of Garo hills.

''Our plain belts areas especially Phulbari, Rajabala, Mahendraganj and Tikrikilla in Garo hills are major concern for us.

Thousands of Bangladeshi nationals now have made their homes in these areas,'' the student leader said.

What worry the tribal communities in Meghalaya now is that illegal Bangladeshi settlers are marrying the tribal local girls in the remote border areas in order to settle down and claim privileges from Meghalaya, Mr Sangma said.

The GSU leader, however, whined with the Meghalaya government for removing all the infiltration check gates in Garo hills resulting in the increase in the number of Bangladeshis taking shelter in Garo hills.

''We are not aware of the motive behind dismantling the check gates by the administration; the Government explanation was other 'effective measures' would be adopted to control influx, but that 'effective measures' do not exist,'' the student leader said.

Mr Sangma, however, said the GSU from time-to-time submitted memorandums to the government suggesting the need to take effective measures to control influx of Bangladeshi immigrants.

According to GSU, at present, especially after the stand taken by All Assam Students' Union (AASU), there is more exodus of Bangladeshi immigrants from Assam than from the neighbouring country directly.

''We appreciate the efforts of AASU, but at the same time, a mechanism should be evolved so that the spill-over effects do not disturb demography of the neighbouring states,'' Mr Sangma said.

He also mentioned that ever since Supreme Court repealed the IMDT Act, there had been an increase in the movement of Bangladeshis from lower Assam to Garo hills.

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