Meghalaya govt provides security to migrant labourers

Shillong, Apr 27 (UNI) With the refusal of the Federation of Khasi Jaintia and Garo People (FKJGP) to withdraw its 'quit notice' issued to the migrant labourers in Borsora, and other areas, the Meghalaya government today decided to provide security to the labourers working in the West Khasi coal belt areas.

The FKJGP had served 'quit notices' to these migrant labourers in Borsora, Nongjri and Nonghyllam areas on March 31, after they had allegedly harassed the indigenous 'Hoi-polloi' tribals.

''Security arrangements have been made to ensure that migrant labourers are not harmed and that there should be no breakdown of law and order in the district,'' West Khasi Hills District Magistrate F Kharlyngdoh told UNI today.

Mr Kharlyngdoh had also held a meeting with the federation leaders yesterday, urging them to withdraw their ''quit notice''.

He further said the FKJGP would be held responsible if any untoward incident occurred in the coal belts.

''They cannot stop a genuine Indian from working in the coal mines,'' the District Magistrate said, adding that he had directed the police to keep a strict vigil.

Meanwhile, the FKJGP had decided not to withdraw its 'quit notice' and asked all migrant coal labourers to leave the coal belt areas by May 1.

'' We have told the government the quit notices would not be withdrawn in view of the insecurity and demographic imbalance caused by the migrant labourers in the coal belt areas,'' FKJGP President Emlang Lyttan said.

The FKJGP had demanded stringent measures to deal with the frequent crimes committed by the labourers and directed them to obtain verification certificate before working in the coal mine areas, he added.

The district administration had decided to hold another round of meetings with FKJGP, coal mine owners and exporters to Bangladesh, as well as heads of traditional institutions on May 1, at Ranikor on the issue.

UNI