Meghalaya: KSU under scanner over ‘inspection drive’ of documents of migrant workers

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The inspection drive carried out by the Khasi Students’ Union (KSU) to check documents of migrant workers in Meghalaya continued for a second day. On June 10, members of the student body visited construction sites in several localities in Shillong to check documents such as Aadhaar cards, identification cards, and especially work permits. Visuals from the ground show workers from other states, such as Assam and West Bengal, lined up and presenting their identification cards to the members of the students’ union. During a drive in Laitumkhrah, members of the union found around 60 migrant workers who failed to provide valid documents. Following this, the workers were asked to pack up their belongings and return to their respective states.

According to the KSU, the drive is being conducted because the government has failed to implement the Inner Line Permit (ILP) and the Meghalaya Residents Safety and Security Act (MRSSA), 2016.

Meanwhile, speaking to the media on Wednesday, Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma stated that no one is authorised to check these documents and that four cases have been filed against the organizations conducting such inspections. He also added that there is no document called a ‘work permit’; however, the registration of labourers is being done before they are engaged in any kind of work in the state.

On Tuesday, a technician and a driver were allegedly assaulted by KSU members during a similar drive at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in the capital. When asked about the incident, the Chief Minister said that he was not aware of it but added that action would be taken against those involved.

Meanwhile, the Meghalaya Human Rights Commission (MHRC), has taken suo motu cognizance of the assault of labourers and has issued a notice to the Superintendent of Police to submit a detailed report within two weeks.

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