Anti-influx groups in Meghalaya has announced a series of agitation programs from November 27 to mount pressure on the Centre for the immediate implementation of the Inner Line Permit (ILP) in Meghalaya.
The decision was taken at a meeting of the Confederation of Meghalaya Social Organizations (CoMSO) held on Wednesday at the North Eastern Hill University (NEHU) campus.
Chairman of the confederation, Robertjune Kharjahrin said that the meeting has unanimously resolved to stage a black flag protest on November 27 and sit-in-protests in all district headquarters of the state on December 4.
“We demand the Centre to immediately implement the ILP in the whole of Meghalaya and for the state government to re-introduce the Meghalaya Residents, Safety and Security (Amendment) Bill, 2020, which was recently returned by the Governor,” he said.
Kharjahrin, also president of the Hynniewtrep Youth Council (HYC), said the Central government has to respect the resolution passed by the State Legislative Assembly to fulfill the long pending aspiration of the people to have a strong and effective law like the ILP.
“The delay to implement the ILP is a clear indication that there is total lack of political will on the part of the Centre and not that it needs time to examine the proposal,” he said.
According to him, if the "indigenous tribes" in the other states of the Northeast region have the right to protect their identities through the ILP, then why tribals in Meghalaya should not be given the same right.
Meanwhile, the CoMSO has demanded the state government and all 60 legislators to aggressively pursue with the Centre for immediate implementation of the ILP.
“We want to see the MLAs continue to demand for ILP not only inside but outside the House as well,” Kharjahrin said.
