Former KSU general secretary Donald Thabah said the union was invited for a discussion on the centre on Wednesday, September 16, but expressed dissatisfaction with the meeting as only Tourism Department officials were present.

The meeting was convened by the Tourism Department to discuss matters related to the proposed Facilitation Centre at Umling Ri Bhoi.

Speaking after the meeting, Thabah said the area earmarked for the centre had been increased from 1,000 square feet to 4,000 square feet following objections raised by the union.

"However, we cannot give them assurance that we are satisfied with what the Tourism Department is planning because our leaders are in jail, so we have to discuss with them first whether 4,000 will be enough or do we require more," he said.

Thabah said the proposed facility should cater not only to tourists but also to labourers, students, government officials and people entering Meghalaya for business purposes.

He said the current plan includes two rooms for the Tourism Department, one for the Infiltration Department and one for the Home Department.

The former KSU leader called for dedicated counters or facilities for departments dealing with labour, education, health and other services, stating that a tourism-only counter could lead to long queues.

"Yes, they can apply online but there are some who don't apply online also," he said.

Thabah said Tourism Department officials informed the union that they could not speak on behalf of other departments during the meeting.

He said the KSU was seeking a broader discussion on the implementation of the Meghalaya Residents Safety and Security Act (MRSSA), particularly the setting up of Facilitation Centres.

"We feel that the government should initiate a better method, a better way on how to engage us to talk regarding the Facilitation Centres," he said.

On the proposed Facilitation Centre at Ratacherra, Thabah said officials informed the union that land acquisition was in progress and had reached around 50%.

However, he said the Tourism Department had not provided details on the total area earmarked for the centre.

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"We don't know whether that will be converted into an entry point and exit point Facilitation Centre or not," he said.

Thabah said the government should bring together officials from all relevant departments for discussions on the Facilitation Centres instead of holding separate meetings with individual departments.

He added that the union would consult its leaders in jail before deciding its next course of action on the proposed centre at Umling.

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