FKJGP threatens to set up check gates to restrict entry of outsiders

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaMay 31, 2020

The Federation of Khasi Jaintia and Garo People (FKJGP) has threatened to set up check gates to stop entry of outsiders including migrant workers into the state to prevent spread of COVID-19. 

“We are ready to assist the state government by deploying our volunteers to check outsiders coming into the state. However, we warned that we along with other NGOs will be compelled to set up our own check gates, if the government is allowing outsiders to enter the state,” FKJGP president Wellbirth Rani said in a statement issued here on Sunday. 

Rani said the federation also expressed strong opposition against the recent decision of the government to grant special permission to migrant labourers for working in the state. 

“At a time when we are faced with the challenge of health crisis, we feel that it is incumbent upon the government to focus more on how to restrict entry of outsiders into the state through the various check points along inter-state as well as international borders,” he said. 

The FKJGP president also expressed concern over the delay of the government to set up the entry-exit points as demanded by several NGOs since 2013.

“Had these been set up across the state, the government would have easily get the number of outsiders coming to the state especially during this time when many states in the country are imposing restriction on entry of outsiders due to the spread of COVID-19,” he said.