The East Khasi Hills district administration has intensified its drive to fully implement the Meghalaya Residents Safety and Security Act (MRSSA), 2016, with a clear target of registering every tenant living in the district. On Tuesday, Deputy Commissioner Abhilash Baranwal chaired two important meetings at the district conference hall, bringing together representatives of urban localities, Dorbar Shnongs, traditional Dorbar Raids and chiefs of various Elakas. The interactions mark a significant step towards expanding the Act’s reach beyond the existing pilot localities and into rural and semi-urban areas.
Speaking to reporters after the meetings, Baranwal stated that the administration’s immediate priority is to ensure complete compliance. “Our focus is on ensuring that all tenants, irrespective of their ethnicity, religion or permanent residence, are registered as mandated under the Act,” he said. The goal is straightforward: every tenant residing in East Khasi Hills must be brought under the MRSSA registration system.
This was the first time the district administration formally engaged traditional chiefs and heads of Elakas and Raids specifically on the implementation of the Act. Baranwal explained that while regular meetings with Dorbar Shnongs and locality committees have been held over the years, traditional institutions were not involved earlier because they do not have a direct statutory role under the existing provisions of the law. Their cooperation, however, is considered essential for extending registration to areas falling under their respective Elakas.
Earlier the same day, officials reviewed the progress of the online tenant registration system in the 16 pilot localities selected by the government for the initial phase of implementation. These localities have been equipped with laptops, internet connectivity and repeated rounds of training to facilitate digital registration. The intention is for them to serve as model areas that can demonstrate best practices for the rest of the district.
Baranwal described the review meeting as fruitful. Participants offered several practical suggestions aimed at simplifying the process. One key recommendation was the provision of downloadable spreadsheets containing registered tenant details that could be shared quickly with the police instead of being compiled manually each time. Another suggestion was to allow Rangbah Dongs to make entries on the portal, as the current system permits only landlords and tenants to complete registrations. Participants also proposed the development of a dedicated mobile application to improve accessibility. The Deputy Commissioner said these recommendations would be forwarded to the state government for consideration.
He emphasised that while the government will continue providing technical support and training, the ultimate success of the MRSSA depends on ownership by the localities and Dorbar Shnongs themselves. Some localities have implemented the system effectively, while others still lag behind. “If some localities can implement it successfully, there is no reason why others cannot,” Baranwal observed. Zonal magistrates will continue visiting localities and conducting awareness programmes with landlords and tenants to encourage higher compliance.
Implementation is being tracked through an online dashboard that provides real-time data on registrations, approvals and rejected applications. This information is accessible to both the district administration and the office of the Superintendent of Police, enabling better coordination on security-related matters.
Background of the MRSSA
The Meghalaya Residents Safety and Security Act was enacted in 2016 with the objective of enhancing security by regulating tenancy and creating a verified database of residents living in rented premises. The law requires landlords and tenants to register details of rental arrangements with local authorities. It aims to prevent the presence of unverified individuals who could pose a threat to public order and safety, particularly in a state with strong tribal demographic concerns and Sixth Schedule protections.
An online portal, megrssa.nic.in, along with a mobile application, was developed by the National Informatics Centre to facilitate registration. The process involves one-time registration of landlords and tenants, declaration of rental units, submission of supporting documents, and a structured clearance workflow involving sub-local and local authorities such as Rangbah Dong and Rangbah Shnong. The system supports real-time status tracking and role-based access to maintain transparency and data confidentiality.
The portal was initially rolled out in a limited number of localities in Shillong and later expanded to 16 pilot areas within East Khasi Hills. Despite these efforts, full district-wide implementation has remained incomplete for years. Amendments to the Act were passed by the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly to address certain legal gaps, but those amendments remain under consideration with the Union Ministry of Home Affairs.
Pressure Group Demands and Differing Positions
The renewed administrative push comes at a time when pressure groups have stepped up demands for immediate and effective implementation of the MRSSA. There is, however, a noticeable divide among these groups. The Hynniewtrep Youth Council has been advocating for the amended version of the Act, arguing that the original 2016 legislation lacked sufficient regulatory teeth. The Khasi Students’ Union, on the other hand, has called for enforcement of the original 2016 Act as an interim measure while continuing to press for the introduction of the Inner Line Permit system in the state.
Both organisations have accused successive governments of delaying full enforcement or diluting the law’s intent. The administration’s position, as articulated by Baranwal, remains that clear directions have been received to implement the existing Act. Support from civil society organisations is welcome, but effective implementation ultimately depends on participation at the locality level. On questions regarding the adequacy of the current law or the pending amendments, the Deputy Commissioner declined to comment, stating that policy decisions rest with the government and the district administration will follow whatever directions are issued.
Challenges and the Road Ahead
Several challenges continue to affect the pace of implementation. Uneven participation among localities, limited digital literacy in some areas, and the absence of a fully operational mobile application have been identified as practical hurdles. The administration has also faced the broader difficulty of operationalising entry and exit monitoring mechanisms, which has constrained the Act’s potential as a comprehensive regulatory tool.
By reaching out to traditional institutions for the first time, the East Khasi Hills administration is attempting to address the rural and suburban gap that has so far limited the Act’s coverage. The emphasis on 100 percent registration, irrespective of a tenant’s background, signals an intent to create a uniform and non-discriminatory database focused purely on security and verification.
Officials have indicated that technical assistance, training and awareness campaigns will continue. The online dashboard will remain a key monitoring tool shared with the police. Whether these efforts translate into comprehensive coverage across the district will depend largely on the willingness of localities, Dorbar Shnongs and traditional heads to take ownership of the process.
For a state that has long debated mechanisms to regulate the movement and residence of outsiders while safeguarding indigenous interests, the current drive in East Khasi Hills represents a practical attempt to enforce an existing law rather than waiting indefinitely for legislative or constitutional changes. The coming months will reveal how effectively the combination of administrative pressure, digital tools and traditional institutional support can close the gap between the letter of the MRSSA and its ground-level reality.
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