Shillong: Like the other states in the North Eastern region, Meghalaya, which too has been affected by the steady exodus of people from Manipur, has decided to keep track of those coming into the state from the violence-hit state.
Chief Minister Conrad Sangma on said that directions have been given to the authorities concerned to keep track of people from Manipur taking refuge in Meghalaya.
“As a sister state in the North East, it is time for all the people of the North East to stand together behind the people of Manipur and support them in whatever way possible. We need to be positive from that angle but at the same time there are concerns from the citizens that there are issues at the locality level where people are coming in large numbers,” the chief minister underscored
Sangma informed that the State government has put a system in place, as part of which the headmen of the various localities and the district administrations are keeping track of everyone who is coming in to Meghalaya from Manipur.
“Specific directions have been given to all the administrations that records have to be kept of all the people who are coming in so that we can efficiently monitor the movement of the people,” he informed.
“The situation in Manipur is very serious and tense and we all are appealing for peace and whatever necessary steps required to be taken from the Central government should be done at the earliest so that peace can prevail and talks can start between the different groups,” Sangma emphasized.
He also said that the Centre should ensure that food and other essential materials are made available in sufficient quantity should reach the areas in Manipur where people are in need of essentials.
State opposition Voice of the People Party (VPP) had recently written to Deputy Chief Minister in-charge Home, Prestone Tynsong, demanding close monitoring of people coming in from Manipur and to ensure that they are sent back once peace returns to the trouble-torn state.
Though official data was not readily available on people who have come in from Manipur to take shelter in Meghalaya so far, sources say that the number of such persons was significantly large enough, prompting the government to keep take notice and keep watch on the emerging situation.
