SHILLONG: Meghalaya chief minister Conrad K Sangma today said his government broke the five-decade status quo on the Meghalaya-Assam border dispute by resolving six of the 12 areas of difference.
Sangma said, “For over fifty years the border issue was left at status quo. In March 2022, this government signed an MoU with Assam and resolved Tarabari, Gizang and Hahim in West Khasi Hills, Boklapara and Khanapara-Pillangkata in Ri-Bhoi and Ratacherra in East Jaintia Hills.”
On infiltration and border management, he said 18 Anti-Infiltration Check Posts, a Railway Facilitation Centre and Land Customs Station have been established, with District Special Squads in all 12 districts for anti-infiltration drives.
He said the BSF is the first line of defence along the international border, while state police at police stations, outposts and check posts from the second line, with joint patrolling, naka checking and electronic surveillance, including high-density lights.
To monitor infiltration, 12 District Task Forces have been constituted for the detection of Bangladeshi nationals. Monthly surprise checks are conducted by joint teams of magistrates, police and the infiltration branch, while a state-level committee headed by the Principal Secretary, Home (Political), identifies foreigners overstaying since January 1, 2011 and reports to the MHA monthly.
Sangma said Nokmas, headmen and Village Defence Parties are involved in the process, awareness programmes are held, and officers regularly visit and stay in border villages.
He said alerts have been issued to districts bordering Assam in view of the recent eviction drive there, and effective checking is being carried out along highways with the help of headmen. Persons of doubtful citizenship from Assam, Tripura and West Bengal are sent back from the point of detection.
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On MRSSA, 2016, he said registration has risen to 966 localities, 561 sub-localities, 1,653 landlords and 5,042 tenants from 817, 427, 1,110 and 3,297 respectively in February 2026. Migrant workers are also registered under the 2020 Act.
On the demand to detect and deport illegal immigrants, Sangma said the Anti-Infiltration Directorate is the nodal agency and from 2021 till date, 736 foreign nationals have been detected and prosecuted, while 262 have been deported after serving their sentences and obtaining travel permits.
The government remains committed to the rule of law and demographic integrity, he added.
