SHILLONG, SEPT 18: Even as Meghalaya chief minister Mukul Sangma informed that the legislation for the implementation of the Inner Line Permit (ILP) has to be done by the union government he said that the state government will go ahead with its decision to implement the comprehensive mechanism Tenancy Act to control illegal migration into the state.
Sangma made the statement after the meeting of the Congress led MUA II coalition government held in his residence on Wednesday evening which decided to stand by state government decision to address the influx issue through the implementation of the Tenancy Act and not the ILP.
Sangma told reporters after the meeting, “It is not for the state government to implement the ILP. It (ILP) is something which can’t be implemented by the state government. The matter lies with the Union government.”
Issues of influx and the fallout on the demand to implement the inner line permit (ILP) in the state were also discussed during the meeting.
Sangma informed that MUA members have unanimously decided to stand by the state government’s decision and steps taken to address the critical issue on influx.”
Sangma said that the High Level Committee on Influx (HCLI) headed by the then deputy chief minister Bindo M Lanong recommending implementation of the ILP also had also recommended that the ILP should be implemented through appropriate legislation which only the centre can do.
Sangma informed that the state government, therefore, will go ahead with its decision to implement the comprehensive mechanism the Tenancy Act to help address the influx problem in the state.
Sangma said, “We don’t want to fool people that are why we are taking the initiatives to put in place a mechanism that will ensure illegal influx is checked.” He informed that soon the draft Tenancy Act will be completed and stakeholders would be invited for their suggestions and opinions on the matter.
Reacting to the opposition Meghalaya People’s Forum (MPF) demand for his resignation Sangma as the chief minister Sangma quipped, “Well do they (MPF) have the number and the United Democratic Party (UDP) did not even bother to mention the issue of influx on their party manifesto. Their party is not serious about the issue of influx at all.”
When asked whether the state government is going to reconsider inviting the pro ILP activists who are agitating for talks, Sangma said, “There will be no talks so long as they continue to agitate.”
Asserting that the ngos have no rights to destroy public properties, Sangma said the state government will also have to honour the ruling of the Supreme Court and the Guwahati High Court order in connection to calling of bandhs and agitations against the agitators.-By Our Reporter
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