Four FIRs filed after assaults on non-local workers: Meghalaya CM Sangma

Following assault and checking of papers of non-local labourers in Meghalaya , Chief Minister Conrad Sangma on Wednesday informed that four cases have been registered by the police. Addressing the media after a cabinet meeting, Sangma first clarified there is “no work permit” in the state for migrant workers, but there is a “mandatory registration” of such workers with the Labour department.

The contractors who employ these labourers are responsible to register these workers. There is also a provision for penalty if the contractors fail to do so. “Nobody is authorised to check these papers of the workers.” He added that if any individual or organisation does so, they are on the “wrong side of the law” and the police are acting.

“We have registered four FIRs against different organisations who have done this (checking papers and assaulting labourers) in the past few days,” the CM informed.


Organisations in Meghalaya are demanding implementation of Inner Line Permit (ILP) and erected a check gate on their own, Sangma said, the Assembly has passed a resolution for the same and now it’s waiting for the Centre’s approval. Sangma informed that the State government is periodically taking up the matter with the Centre.

The Meghalaya Human Rights Commission (MHRC) has taken suo motu cognizance pertaining to the assault of labourers engaged to renovate JN Stadium on July 9.

The Commission has issued a notice to the Superintendent of Police (SP) of East Khasi Hills district to submit a detailed report within two weeks.