Ten prominent pressure groups, represented by the Joint Action Committee (JCC), met with Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma at his official residence on Tuesday to demand a clear outline of administrative actions taken regarding long-pending influx control laws. Following the discussion, Federation of Khasi Jaintia and Garo People (FKJGP) President Dundee C. Khongsit informed reporters that the Chief Minister failed to deliver a definitive explanation regarding the state’s progress on these critical policy measures. Consequently, the coalition of pressure groups issued a firm 30-day deadline for the Meghalaya government to provide a detailed, formal clarification addressing all concerns raised during the high-level meeting. The deliberations centered on major legislative and regulatory frameworks, including the implementation of the Inner Line Permit (ILP), amendments to the Meghalaya Residents Safety and Security Act (MRSSA) 2016, the operationalization of designated entry and exit points, the Meghalaya Identification Registration of Migrant Workers Act 2020, and the enforcement of the Meghalaya Benami Transactions Prohibition Act. Acknowledging the insufficiency of the initial clarification provided, Chief Minister Sangma assured the delegation that a second round of structured talks would be scheduled later this month to examine each issue in greater depth. However, civil society leaders warned that if the state government remains silent or fails to deliver concrete progress within the stipulated 30-day window, the pressure groups will initiate widespread public agitation across the state. Emphasizing the grave social and demographic implications of unmonitored migration, Khongsit urged the state administration to take immediate preventive measures before volatile incidents arise, particularly in sensitive border areas. Through this ultimatum, the civil society groups underscore the urgent necessity for transparent governance, rigorous law enforcement, and institutionalized safeguards to protect indigenous interests and maintain regional peace across Meghalaya.
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