SHILLONG, Nov 21: The Hynniewtrep Youths’ Council (HYC), a prominent pressure group in Meghalaya, has expressed growing concern over the influx of refugees from strife-torn Manipur into the state.

In a letter submitted to the Deputy Commissioner of East Khasi Hills, HYC President Roy Kupar Synrem called for the administration to maintain proper records of the refugees and ensure their repatriation once the situation in Manipur stabilizes.

“We are also concern of the prevailing situations in the State of Manipur which has been on the turmoil for the last 17 months. However, as an organisation we are also of the opinion that in the interest of our community, proper records of the movement of these refugees are maintained by the administration and the concerned authorities and as and when the situation in Manipur returns to normalcy, these Refugees be sent back accordingly,” it stated.

While the HYC expressed empathy for the plight of the refugees, it emphasized the need for vigilance to prevent potential security threats that might arise from the influx. The organization warned that criminal elements could exploit the situation, using Shillong and Meghalaya as safe havens for illegal activities. “This is also keeping in mind of the fact that some criminal elements may take advantage of the situation and make Shillong and Meghalaya as their safe haven for criminal activities especially trafficking of drugs and other psychotropic substances, if no proper records are kept of the movement of these people into the State,” the HYC stated.

In the same memorandum, the HYC raised concerns over the growing issue of illegal activities within the Shillong Cantonment area, which falls outside the jurisdiction of local traditional institutions. Synrem alleged that areas under the Shillong Cantonment Board have become hotspots for illegal activities such as drug trafficking and illegal immigration, making it difficult for the local community to maintain control over these areas. He pointed out incidents like the Lum Survey area, where 80-100 households were illegally occupying land, and the recent arrest of drug dealers in the Cantonment area.

Synrem also expressed alarm at the presence of self-styled committees and councils within the Cantonment Board who are reportedly issuing certificates for purposes like electoral roll enrolment, which he believes poses a serious threat to the safety and security of the local indigenous community. He demanded that the state government take action to regulate the movement of people into these areas, conduct a survey of all residents in the Cantonment Board, and de-recognize self-styled committees. He further called for the power to administer these areas to be handed over to local traditional institutions to ensure proper governance and security.