Meghalaya for I-cards to check influx

SHILLONG, February 17: To check influx of foreigners into India, the Meghalaya Government has suggested introduction of identity cards for the people in the state. A ten-point recommendations of the working group constituted by the State Government suggested distribution of identity cards within a period of five years. The recommendations were submitted to Chief Minister E K Mawlong yesterday. The report stressed on the need for reorganising the Prevention of Infiltration of Foreigners schemes and identification of infiltration-prone areas. The working group was set up in December 1999 under Home Minister TH Rangad with the president of Khasi Students Union, Jaintia Students Union and Garo Students Union and others to examine the problems of influx of foreign nationals, border problem with Assam and matters relating to the extension of the Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulation 1873.