Northeast Desk, 5th August: The Federation of Khasi Jaintia and Garo People (FKJGP) and the Khasi Students’ Union (KSU) have commended the Meghalaya government’s amendment to the Meghalaya Identification, Registration (Safety and Security) of Migrant Workers Act, 2020. The amendment aims to strengthen the verification process of migrant workers’ backgrounds using the Crime and Criminal Tracking Network System (CCTNS).
KSU general secretary Donald V Thabah praised the government’s decision, stating that it will ensure migrant workers have no criminal records. Thabah also welcomed the increased penalty for violating the Act, from Rs 5,000 to Rs 1 lakh, and the possibility of a three-month jail term for frequent offenders.
FKJGP president Dundee C Khongsit also applauded the move, saying it will prevent criminals from settling in Meghalaya. Khongsit emphasized that while outsiders are welcome to work in the state, they should not outnumber local residents. Both organizations urged the government to address pending issues related to the ILP and MRSSA amendments, warning of independent action if delays persist.
The government’s initiative to implement the CCTNS has been hailed as a significant step towards ensuring the safety and security of the state’s residents.