Shillong: Two prominent indigenous groups in Meghalaya have demanded an immediate halt to the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls in border regions. The Federation of Khasi Jaintia and Garo People and the Khasi Students’ Union allege that suspected Bangladeshi nationals are systematically hijacking Khasi identities to secure official status.
The organizations submitted a petition to the Sub-Divisional Officer of Pynursla, Gautam Warjri, highlighting cases where non-indigenous individuals are adopting Khasi surnames without proper clan approval. These groups argue that this practice poses a severe threat to the region's demographic stability and national security.
In a joint statement, FKJGP president Evanfield Khonglam and KSU president W. Suting characterized the activity as a direct assault on local heritage. They stated, “These suspected Bangladeshi nationals are openly parading as Khasi people after grabbing our surnames through questionable and illegal means.”
The unions claim that recent inspections revealed numerous instances of individuals using fraudulent surnames to blend into border villages. They have urged the district administration to conduct a more rigorous verification process, warning that official negligence during the current revision could lead to a permanent loss of indigenous rights and land security.
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