Local organizations, including the Federation of Khasi Jaintia and Garo People (FKJGP) and the Khasi Students’ Union (KSU), have applauded the Meghalaya government’s recent amendments to the Meghalaya Identification, Registration (Safety and Security) of Migrant Workers Act, 2020. The revised legislation aims to bolster the verification process for migrant workers by integrating the Crime and Criminal Tracking Network System (CCTNS).
KSU General Secretary Donald V Thabah praised the amendment, highlighting its potential to ensure that migrant workers have clean criminal records. Thabah also endorsed the increased penalty for violations, which has risen from Rs 5,000 to Rs 1 lakh, along with the introduction of a three-month jail term for repeat offenders.
FKJGP President Dundee C Khongsit welcomed the initiative as a proactive measure to prevent criminals from settling in Meghalaya. Khongsit reiterated that while the state remains open to migrant workers, their numbers should not surpass those of local residents. Both FKJGP and KSU have called on the government to address outstanding issues related to the Inner Line Permit (ILP) and the Meghalaya Residents Safety and Security Act (MRSSA), threatening independent action if progress is not made.
The government’s adoption of the CCTNS is seen as a crucial step toward enhancing public safety and security within the state.