Ensure precaution to exclude illegal migrants from census: Guv

Shillong, Feb 10 (PTI) Meghalaya Governor R S Mooshaharytoday called for "sufficient precaution" to ensure that thenames of illegal migrants are not included during the ongoingcensus.

"I am sure that the enumerators will take sufficientprecaution to ensure that the only those who are Indiancitizens are included in the census," Mooshahary toldreporters after he was enumerated by census officials at RajBhavan today.

He said those who are not Indians should not be includedin the census.

Stating that the problem of illegal infiltration wasserious in the region, especially in Assam, the Governor saidthe Census will be the basis of creation of the NationalPopulation Register.

"The Census will also be linked to the UniqueIdentification Number that is getting ready. The Census willhelp in planning and knowing who are our citizens," he said.

The exercise will also help to build a national spirit,Mooshahary, a former chief of BSF and the elite NSG, said.

Meghalaya Census Operations director KL Tariang had saidall people who reside in the state, irrespective of age,caste, religion and origin will be enumerated.

"It is not possible for us to identify the illegalmigrants. But the Centre is planning to have a NationalPopulation Register (NPR)�it will come at a later stage. Thisexercise may help identify the illegal migrants," Tariangsaid.

In the second phase of the country�s biggest ever Census,5688 enumerators and 995 supervisors will carry out theheadcount in Meghalaya and the revisional round slated forMarch 1-5.

In this 2011 Census, enumerators in Meghalaya will cover6,839 villages, 22 towns � 10 of the statutory and 12 Censustowns.

"In 1971, only 45 persons lived in an area of 1 sq km inMeghalaya. In 2001, 103 resides in an 1 sq km area. The newCensus information would help the government in planning forthe welfare of the people," the director added.