Meghalaya considers strengthening law to curb infiltration: Tynsong

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaJuly 18, 2025

Deputy Chief Minister in-charge Home (Police) Prestone Tynsong on Friday said government is contemplating revisiting and strengthening the Meghalaya Residents Safety and Security Act (MRSSA) or introducing new legislation to tackle the rising issue of infiltration from Bangladesh. 

According to him, there is need for a more effective mechanism to address the concerns of increasing number of infiltrators entering the state.

Speaking to media persons, Tynsong said that the government is weighing the options of either amending the existing MRSSA or enacting a new law to plug loopholes and enhance safety measures.

“The state government is still thinking on this subject. I personally feel it is so important and we urgently needed to have some kind of mechanism in the state level,” he said while adding that these supplement central laws, enabling more effective action against infiltration.

With a 443 km border with Bangladesh, Tynsong said Meghalaya faces significant challenges in preventing infiltration, with infiltrators often entering through various routes, including Kolkata, Rajasthan, and Bihar.

The MRSSA, enacted in 2016, aims to protect the safety and security of Meghalaya’s residents by regulating the entry and stay of non-residents. 

The law has faced implementation challenges, and the recent murder of a tourist from Madhya Pradesh has sparked renewed calls for strengthening the Act.

The government has acknowledged the need for a more robust approach to address infiltration and ensure the safety of residents and tourists. 

Tynsong stated that the exact numbers of infiltrators are not available with him. He however assured that the government is working to enhance its efforts to prevent and detect infiltration, with the BSF and state police playing crucial roles in these efforts.