CM announces work to start soon for setting up entry point at Umling

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaMarch 9, 2019

SHILLONG: The state government on Saturday finalised the land in Ri Bhoi District for the immediate setting up of the entry-exit point, which is part of its ‘comprehensive mechanism’ to check influx and illegal immigration into the state.

The decision was taken during an inspection conducted by the Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma at Umling along the National Highway – 6.

He was accompanied by Transport Minister Sniawbhalang Dhar and Urban Affairs Minister Hamletson Dohling besides officials from the different departments.

Speaking to media persons at the sideline of the inspection, Sangma informed that the land owned by the Transport department has been finalised for the setting up of the facilitation centre at Umling.

“We have been able to identify a land belonged to the transport department…government has been able to save a lot of money otherwise we would have to spend a lot of money to buy land as well as to develop it,” he said.

The chief minister added that this was following the government’s effort in the past few months in looking for a suitable location to set up the entry-exit point.

It may be mentioned here, the state government had earlier proposed to set up the entry point at 18th Mile, Byrnihat but later it had to be dropped due to financial constrain faced by the state.

Terming the development as a positive step, Sangma further announced, “With the finalising of this location for the entry point… I am happy to inform you that the work will start in the next few weeks or within a month’s time.”

“Everybody has been told to start the work immediately so that we complete the work at the earliest,” he said.

According to the chief minister, the government’s main intention in setting up the entry-exit points across the state is to prevent illegal entry of influx into the state.

Asked, Sangma said the basic infrastructure required for the entry point will be able to set up in a very short time but however as you know the facilitation centre on its own requires parking space, different departmental sections and others that will take us sometime.

The state government has decided to come up with anti-influx comprehensive mechanisms after the 2013-Inner Line Permit (ILP) agitations witnessed by the state. The government had then expressed its inability to implement the Inner Line Permit system.