Meghalaya Imposes Strict Rules for Visitors to Keep Out 'Illegal Immigrants'

Shillong, November 2, 2019:

Adding more teeth to the Residents Safety Act, the Meghalaya Government has now ordained that non-residents visiting Meghalaya for more than 24 hours now have to register with the government before entry. The new rule has kicked into effect from Friday.

the state’s deputy CM Preston Tynsong “Any person who is not a resident of Meghalaya and intends to stay more than 24 hours in the state will have to furnish [a] document to the government. This is done for their (outsiders) own interest as well as for the interest of the government and people of Meghalaya. They will be much safer.”

Refusal to comply with the order will be treated as a violation of the law, and could attract a fine or even a long vacation behind the bars for up to six months.

Earlier, as per the MRRSA 2016, landlords had to register their tenants and inform traditional heads. But through this amendment, all visitor will now have to submit documents to the Meghalaya Government, although it is yet to be specified what those documents will be. This Act is applicable only to those visiting the state as tourists, labourers, students or for business transactions. They will need to comply to certain guidelines which will be issued by the State in due time.

This new move is expected to deter illegal immigrants from infiltrating the state and is expected to act as a safeguard after the fallout over the Assam NRC, which left over 19 lakh people 'stateless'.

Meanwhile, the main opposition, the Congress, has raised a hue-and-cry over this new amendment.

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