Shillong: In a preemptive move responding to a heightened crackdown on illegal settlers in neighbouring Assam, the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) has issued a stern advisory to traditional heads of border villages. The council has urged village authorities to remain on high alert and report any suspicious movement across the interstate boundary, a directive aimed at stemming any potential influx of individuals.
The directive, issued on Friday, specifically calls upon traditional bodies—‘Hima’, ‘Dorbar Shnong’ and ‘Dorbar Raid’—to proactively prevent the settlement of outsiders within their jurisdictions. Emphasising the urgency and seriousness of the matter, the KHADC has mandated that any attempts at illegal settlement be reported to authorities immediately. This step comes amidst a backdrop of increasing concern over illegal cross-border migration, a sensitive issue in the region.
The advisory from the KHADC mirrors similar actions taken elsewhere in the state. In the Garo Hills, the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC) has been actively engaged in its own anti-encroachment drive. On July 29, the GHADC demolished several illegal structures on council land after repeated eviction notices were reportedly ignored. This coordinated push highlights a broader resolve among Meghalaya’s administrative bodies to protect tribal land rights and manage the complex dynamics of migration pressure along its borders with Assam.