Shillong: Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma has urged Union Home Minister Amit Shah to consider granting Indian citizenship or a 10-year visa to an elderly Catholic priest serving in Nongstoin town of West Khasi Hills district.
The chief minister, who recently met Shah in Delhi, said the request was made to ease the difficulties faced by the 80-year-old foreign national, who currently requires annual visa renewals while his citizenship application remains pending.
CM Sangma made the request on humanitarian grounds, citing the foreign-born clergyman’s long-standing service in the state.
“He (Union HM) has assured me to give up to a 10-year visa to the Father so that he does not have to renew it every year. He is about 80 years old. I have communicated this to the Archbishop as well as to the concerned people that this is the option and they are happy about it,” Sangma said.
The chief minister added that the development was well received by church leaders, including the Archbishop and the priest himself, who expressed their gratitude.
“This is a welcome step. Extending visas to 5 or 10 years for genuine religious and humanitarian workers will significantly ease bureaucratic burdens, both for them and the authorities,” Sangma said.
The Catholic priest has been serving in the Nongstoin area for several decades and is known for his contributions to community welfare and spiritual life in the region.
His application for Indian citizenship is under consideration, officials said.
Sangma also said that he had raised the issue of facilitating smooth entry for the upcoming visit of Rector Major, the global head of the Salesians of Don Bosco, to Meghalaya.
He said the Salesian Sisters have requested him to inform the Ministry of Home Affairs and the External Affairs Ministry so that they can have a smooth entry as they are coming purely for institutional programmes.
“They are coming solely for their religious missions. I have ensured that both ministries have been informed so that there are no hurdles during their visit,” he added.
