31 Nepalese detained in Meghalaya

A social organisation opposed to foreigners entering Meghalaya detained 31 Nepali nationals, including women, who had arrived here to work in a coal mine.

The Nepalese — who had come from Assam enroute to Jaintia Hills district — were picked up from a locality here yesterday by activists of the Federation of Khasi, Jaintia and Garo Peoples (FKJGP) and later handed over to police, FKJGP chief Emlang Lyttan said. SP (Infiltration) L.P. Rapthap said the FKJGP’s act was illegal as the restricted area permit was done away with in the state in May 1995 and the Indo-Nepal Friendship Treaty, 1950, allows Nepalese nationals to move freely in India and vice versa.