Ngos demands implementation of ILP in the state

Shillong, August 21: Underlining the need of a better mechanism to protect the identity of indigenous people from unabated influx, three pressure groups – KSU, FKJGP and JYF today demanded the state government to extend the provisions of the Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulation, 1873 in the state by implementing the “Inner Line Permit” system at the earliest.

A memorandum submitted to Chief Minister Mukul Sangma Tuesday said, “We demand the government for immediate implementation of the “Inner Line Permit” system in the state to protect the indigenous tribal population from being annihilated in their own land due to increase influx that goes uncheck.”

According to the memorandum, Meghalaya requires a workable anti-influx mechanism in the form of ILP under the Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulation Act of 1873 citing that those states (Mizoram, Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh) where the ILP is in place, the demographic balance has remain undisturbed and movement of outsiders is totally regulated and monitored by the government and tourists visiting these states have no problem whatsoever as is being apprehended.

“The threat posed by influx has reached an alarming state particularly in some parts of the state like in East Jaintia hills, international border belt of Garo hills and in the inter-state border areas of Ri Bhoi district”, the social organizations said adding “In these areas, the migrant population including foreign nationals from Bangladesh and Nepal have outnumbered the local indigenous tribes”.

The memorandum also pointed out that, “Similar alarming signs are even noticed in some constituencies of Shillong city”.

The memorandum further said that the highest decadal population growth rate of a staggering 27.28 per cent in the state as per the 2011 census is a clear indicator that unless appropriate measures are taken, the influx situation might go out of control given our geographical proximity to Bangladesh and Assam”. – By Our Reporter