SHILLONG, FEB 6: United Democratic Party leader Paul Lyngdoh has sought the intervention of the chief minister Conrad K Sangma for implementation of the Inner Line Permit system to check influx and illegal immigration into the state.
This came in the wake of the Centre’s move to invoke the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2016 and the growing demand for implementation of the ILP as provided in the Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulation Act, 1873.
In his letter to Sangma on Wednesday, Lyngdoh, who is also the Co-Chairman of the State Level Public Grievances Committee (SLPGC), said, “The need for such a law has never been felt more acutely than at this point of time when mainstream political parties are actively converting the North-east into their permanent vote banks, damaging the demographic balance of the state and reducing the indigenous population to helpless minorities.”
The two-time former legislator of West Shillong constituency also reminded that the High Level Committee headed by then deputy chief minister Bindo M Lanong had unequivocally recommended the introduction of the ILP system.
“This was (also) reiterated by members of the UDP, NPP, HSPDP and the GNC on the floor of the Assembly through an Adjournment Motion in 2013,” he said.
Lyngdoh said while the states of Mizoram, Arunachal Pradesh and Mizoram have embraced the ILP mechanism for decades now, the state of Manipur where the BJP and NPP are in power, is proactively pushing for the Manipur People Act, 2018 which is as good as having the ILP in place.
With adequate laws to protect the demographic profiles of the above states, he however said the pressure of immigration would be more on Meghalaya in the absence of the ILP or a law similar to it as voiced by the Confederation of Hynniewtrep Social Organisations (CoHSO).
“In view of these observations, I trust that you (CM) will act decisively and boldly in the best interests of the indigenous communities of the state,” Lyngdoh stated in his letter.
By Our Reporter
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