Jacob concerned at foreigners' infiltration into Meghalaya

Shillong, Mar 17 (UNI) Meghalaya Governor M M Jacob today termed as a 'serious threat' the infiltration of foreigners into the tate and said the matter of extending the Multipurpose National Identity Card scheme had been taken up with the Centre.

Mr Jacob, in his customary address on the opening day of the eight-day Budget session, said infiltration of foreigners posed a serious threat and the state police and its infiltration branch had been vigiliant against illegal migration into Meghalaya.

Besides, the Border Security Force had also been requested to keep a close watch on the international border to check infiltration and movement of cadres of various militant organisations.

Referring to the ongoing tussle between the local people living along Indo-Bangla border in Meghalaya sector and the government regarding fencing, he said Meghalaya has 423 km of international border with Bangladesh of which 195 km had been fenced, mostly in Garo Hills sector.

The apprehension of the locals is that with fencing done according to the existing demarcation, a huge plot of Meghalaya would be lost to the neighbouring country.

Attempting to remove confusion arising out of the issue, Mr Jacob said there was no denying the fact that fencing was necessary for security of citizens and also to check infiltration and cross-border movement of militants.

The government was committed to solving ''some difficulties'' related to border fencing, which had arisen at certain areas, he said, adding the matter had been taken up with the Centre at the highest level.

The Governor also took note of some significant developmental activities in the past year saying a note-worthy development had been the coming into force of the Right to Information Act, 2005.

The state continued to remain free from communal disturbances during the last year though the law and order situation was affected by agitation over the Meghalaya Board Of Secondary Education (MBOSE).

He hoped that the collective wisdom of the House would find an amicable solution to this vexed problem.

On militancy, he reiterated the government's stand on keeping doors open for dialogue.

Meghalaya has approximately 566 km of inter-state boundary with Asom and there were some areas of difference between the two states.

The matter had been taken up with the government of Asom and the Union government, he said adding the government would strive to resolve the issue through dialogue.

UNI PRS PL LR BST1444