Meghalaya Deputy Chief Minister and Home Minister Prestone Tynsong informed the State Assembly that 658 Bangladeshi nationals have been detected entering the state illegally between 2021 and February 3, 2026. At the same time, he cautioned that genuine Indian citizens must not become targets in the state’s efforts to curb infiltration.
Responding to a Calling Attention Motion moved by Mawryngkneng MLA Heavingstone Kharpran, Tynsong outlined the government’s strategy to address illegal influx along the India-Bangladesh border. Of the 658 individuals detected since 2021, 194 have already been deported after completing legal formalities and securing travel permits from Bangladeshi authorities.
To strengthen surveillance, the state currently operates 18 Anti-Infiltration check posts, gates and land customs stations at key border points. In addition, 11 District Task Forces are functioning across Meghalaya to identify and initiate proceedings against overstaying foreigners.
The government has also operationalised the Meghalaya Residents Safety and Security Act 2016 in selected localities of East Khasi Hills to streamline monitoring.
However, even as he underscored the state’s firm stance against illegal infiltration, Tynsong expressed concern over instances where pressure groups have detained or questioned individuals without legal authority.
He referred to the December 15, 2025 incident at Thangshalai Bypass, where members of the Hynniewtrep Youth Development Council stopped a tourist vehicle on suspicion of carrying illegal migrants. Police later confirmed that all seven occupants were residents of Dhubri district in Assam and were lawful Indian citizens travelling to East Jaintia Hills for construction work.
The situation reportedly turned violent, and the driver along with several labourers were assaulted. They later received treatment at Mawryngkneng Community Health Centre. An FIR has been registered under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, and an investigation is underway.
Officials acknowledged that such incidents are not isolated. In recent years, there have been multiple instances where migrant workers from Assam, West Bengal and even Hindi-speaking states were stopped and asked to produce documents solely based on language, accent or appearance. In some cases, daily wage labourers and small traders were reportedly turned back or publicly questioned on suspicion of being “Bangladeshis,” leading to anxiety among genuine Indian citizens working in the state.
Local residents have also expressed concern that stereotyping based on Bengali or Hindi speech patterns has sometimes resulted in wrongful suspicion. Civil society groups have previously flagged that such actions risk creating fear among domestic migrant workers who form a significant part of the construction and service workforce.
The Home Minister made it clear that while the government remains uncompromising in detecting and deporting illegal migrants, enforcement must remain within the bounds of law.
Harassment, unlawful detention or assault of genuine Indian citizens — including migrant workers from other Indian states — will invite strict legal action.
“I appeal to all organisations to allow authorities to carry out verifications through lawful means. We must ensure that genuine Indian citizens are not harassed or assaulted, even as we remain firm in dealing with illegal infiltration,” Tynsong said.
The government’s message was clear — border vigilance must go hand in hand with constitutional safeguards, so that efforts to curb infiltration do not undermine the rights and dignity of lawful citizens.
