Northeast Desk, 11th July: The Meghalaya government has filed four First Information Reports (FIRs) against various organisations for conducting unauthorised checks on labourers, following recent incidents involving pressure groups like the Khasi Students’ Union (KSU). Chief Minister Conrad Sangma has taken a firm stance, stating that the government will not tolerate any group taking the law into their own hands.
The KSU has been carrying out work permit checks in Shillong, citing the government’s failure to implement the Inner Line Permit (ILP) and the Meghalaya Residents Safety and Security Act (MRSSA) to control the influx of outsiders. However, Sangma clarified that there is no official work permit system currently in place in the state.
“Nobody is authorised to check the papers of labourers except for the Labour Department,” Sangma emphasized. He further explained that all labourers must register with the Labour Department, and it is the responsibility of contractors to ensure this registration.
Despite the illegality of these checks, the KSU has continued its activities, claiming to have found 62 labourers working without permits in the Laitumkhrah area. The union has also set up an influx check gate along the National Highway in Ri Bhoi district.
Sangma reiterated that the ILP is still pending approval from the central government, while the MRSSA was returned with observations. The Ministry of Home Affairs previously stated that the implementation of entry-exit gates under the MRSSA Amendment Bill 2020 would be unacceptable as it would inconvenience visitors.
The Meghalaya government is taking strong action against these unauthorised activities to maintain law and order and ensure that only the appropriate authorities conduct checks on labourers.