Raising sharp concerns over alleged large-scale infiltration and its implications on the State’s electoral integrity, the Confederation of Meghalaya Social Organisations (CoMSO) on Tuesday accused “political blessings” and “vote bank” considerations of enabling illegal immigrants to enter electoral rolls, even as it pressed for urgent corrective measures across Meghalaya.
Addressing media persons, CoMSO chairman Roy Kupar Synrem underscored the organisation’s long-standing demand for safeguarding indigenous rights and warned of demographic shifts if immediate action is not taken.
“So we just want the illegal immigrants should not get the same right like we do because at the end of the day, if their population, keep on increasing the point will reach where we will be minority in our own state, so we don’t want that to happen.”
When asked whether the remarks were directed at any particular ruling party, Synrem clarified, “No, no, I’m not saying npp Congress, but we know that, when when you have a maximum number of persons electoral roll, of course, it becomes the vote Bank of any particular political party.”
He further alleged that over decades, illegal immigrants have been able to influence electoral outcomes. “And we cannot deny the fact that in last 50 years these people have been able to get inside our state and enroll in the Electoral process and vote for any candidate and make them and make them a MLA make them Minister. So maybe they have got the blessing of someone, some people, some party in power and then they have been able.”
Calling for decisive intervention, Synrem urged the government to act without delay. “So we want that the present dispensation the government that is there, they should take a drastic steps to ensure that the Electoral process are clean once for all.”
Highlighting specific areas of concern, he pointed to border regions as particularly vulnerable. “We we have always said that the plain belt areas of Garo Hills is being infiltrated in large number. So the the border areas especially in the Garo Hills in the plain belt areas of Garo Hills should be the focal point where the SIR should be conducted but I am not saying if SIR is conducted it should not conducted only in Garo Hills, it should be conducted in Khasi and Jaintia Hills as well.”
The organisation reiterated its demand for a comprehensive Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls across the State, maintaining that ensuring a clean and credible electoral process is essential to protecting Meghalaya’s demographic balance and democratic framework.
