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Shillong, Sept. 9: The Garo Students’ Union has expressed concern over the illegal influx of people from Assam into the Garo hills of Meghalaya.

It today submitted a report on the status of the inter-state migrants in the Garo hills to West Garo Hills deputy commissioner Sanjay Goyal for necessary action.

The report is based on an on-the-spot inquiry conducted by the GSU’s central executive committee, Tura, which found illegal dominance of migrants from Assam in West Garo Hills, especially in the plains of Phulbari.

The report, signed by the general secretary of GSU, central body, Sanjeeb Sangma, said illegal encroachment from Assam is increasing by the day because of lack of initiative by the West Garo Hills administration and this is causing harassment to Garos living in the plains of Garo hills.

“During our inquiry we found that more than 1,000 people from Assam, living in about 100 hamlets, have been occupying land that falls under the area of West Garo Hills on the side of the river Jinjiram,” Sangma said. The GSU said the migrants were allowed temporary shelter on the land during the recent floods but continued to stay there. Neither the district authority nor the district council made any initiative to push the inter-state refugees back after the flood was over.

The student’s union said the migrants, with the help of the Assam government, set up a number of institutions in West Garo Hills, including South Salmara police station, a flight and train booking counter, Salmara PHC School, a community hall and grocery shops.

But the district administration did not take steps despite the GSU submitting several memoranda to them.

The GSU also alleged that the inter-state migrants residing in the plains of Meghalaya had dual electoral identity cards. “The Constitution does not allow possession of more than one electoral identity card. It is illegal,” Sangma said.

He said the law and order in the plain belts had become a cause for concern because of the presence of a large number of migrants.

The GSU also alleged that whenever Meghalaya police tried to contain law and order in the border areas, there was interference from Assam police, which supported the migrants.

Sangma urged the West Garo Hills deputy commissioner to take necessary steps on the issues raised by the GSU.