Shillong, December 22: Displaying a spirit of accommodation just ahead of Christmas, Meghalaya chief minister Mukul Sangma said that the state government has decided to invite the agitating pro Inner Line Permit (ILP) ngos for “dialogue” on the issue of influx and illegal immigration on January 15 next year.
Sangma also said as the official announcement for the dialogue has been announced by the government; the leaders of different ngos can now come home from their hidings without the fear of being arrested and celebrate Christmas with their family
Speaking to reporters during a news conference on Sunday, Sangma said, “We will invite the pro ILP groups to come forward for discussion with the state government on the core issue of influx and illegal immigration.”
Sangma informed that the January 15 meeting will be to explore the possibility of garnering suggestions and recommendations and ultimately coming up with a mechanism to achieve the objective of dealing with the influx problem.”
Urging the ngos to refrain from sticking to only the demand for ILP, Sangma said, “One must come with an open mind for a dialogue. If one comes with a close mind, dialogue cannot take place, it will be monologue instead.”
Earlier, state government had said it was firm in implementing the Tenancy Act which it proposed to check the floating population engaged in mining and construction works in the state. However now the government agreed to keep the proposed tenancy act aside with Sangma saying, , “If not the Tenancy Act, then we want to know what are the other mechanisms that can effectively help us in dealing the issue concerning influx.”
Sangma, however, maintained that the state government is firm on not implementing the ILP. He said, “We have made our stand clear on the non implementable of the ILP in the state.”
On being asked whether the decision is a Christmas gift, Sangma said, “It is the right time to knock on them (ngos) to infuse love, compassion, peace and harmony which is the true spirit of Christmas and with this we can step into the New Year and ensure that it has to be peaceful.”
On asked whether the arrested ILP activists will be release, Sangma, however, said, “Certain law and legality aspects need to be examine from the legal perspective. So that part will be further examine but at least if one has to go by the statement of the state government today it opens up possibilities for everything but a beginning has to be made with the same kind of commitment and sincerity.”
Sangma also assured that the state government intends good for the people and state and said, “Am sure I have been engaging with all these ngos leaders all these years, I know them, I understand them that they also have the intend to do good for the state and therefore if they want to achieve that intend then this is the way.”- By Our Reporter
Dr Mukul Sangma is trying to show his maturity by calling the NGOs for talk. He wants to show the spirit of Chrhstmas love to the NGOs by inviting them for talks. He has the authority to announce that the leaders of the NGOs need not to hide but to come and celebrate Christmas with their family. But what about those in jail? Will those leade
rs really come out and celebrate Christmas while their colleagues are in jail? What a shameful if they do so! Dr Mukul Sangma is really great among the Chief Ministers of Meghalaya? Kudos to our CM. I believe the Police will cease to arrest the other NGOs’ leaders since the CM had already shown his Christmas spirit towards the NGOs whom he had once compared as terrorists. Our CM is really a man of forgive and forget. I hope he’ll continue to imbibe with this kind of spirit.