Shillong: The United Democratic Party is pushing for hard-line checks on voter rolls near the Bangladesh border. Officials fear infiltrators are hijacking Khasi surnames to sneak into the state’s electoral list. The move follows reports from the Federation of Khasi Jaintia and Garo People and the Khasi Students’ Union about a calculated racket operating in sensitive border villages.
These groups claim outsiders are stealing tribal identities without clan permission. This practice threatens the survival of local demographics. UDP general secretary Titosstarwell Chyne wants a transparent verification process to protect indigenous rights. He questioned the legitimacy of these claims, stating, "How can an illegal immigrant misuse a Khasi surname? If such cases exist, the clans concerned, the District Council and the community should immediately raise objections."
The party is now pressing authorities to involve traditional village heads during the Special Intensive Revision. They want the Rangbah Shnong to help verify who actually lives in these areas. The UDP will also station Booth Level Agents at polling sites to watch for suspicious registrations. While Chyne admitted to concerns about population spikes, he maintains faith in existing Election Commission safeguards. He urged all local groups to report any questionable names immediately.
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