CoMSO observes black flag day over govt’s failure to implement ILP

The demand was made during a black flag protest sponsored by the Confederation of Meghalaya Social Organisations (CoMSO) held in the state capital and other parts of Khasi-Jaintia and Garo Hills region.

The statewide black flag day was observed as a mark of protest against the state government’s failure to consider implementation of the ILP system for checking influx and illegal immigration into the state.

The pro-ILP groups have also threatened to intensify their agitational programmes in the coming days with the objective to mount pressure on the state government to fulfil this long pending demand.

“We strongly demanded the regional parties to come out clear whether they are for the indigenous people or for their own personal interests,” CoMSO leader and general secretary of the Hynniewtrep Youth Council (HYC) Roy Kupar Synrem told reporters here.

He said during elections regional parties like the Hill State People’s Democratic Party (HSPDP), People’s Democratic Front (PDF) and United Democratic Party (UDP) have assured the people of the state to implement the ILP system.

“However, they (regional parties) are yet to put their statements into action despite one year have passed that they are in the government,” he added.

Synrem further informed that the confederation is also demanding the chief minister Conrad K Sangma to convene meetings of the MDA as well as the Cabinet and take a clear cut decision on the issue.

In this way people of the state will know who are for or against the implementation of the ILP in the state, he said while asserting that the cabinet ministers should also made their stand very clear.

According to him, the demand was also made in view of the different statements coming from the chief minister and deputy chief minister Prestone Tynsong which have created a lot of confusion on what is the stand of this present government.

He said while chief minister recently asked the NGOs not to make ILP an issue, his deputy on the other hand is giving hope that the government will take steps to consider implementing the ILP.

He also referred to Tynsong’s statement saying that the intention of the government to propose amendment of the Meghalaya Resident Safety and Security Act (MRSSA), 2016 was to have an ILP-like mechanism in place.

“However, we are not concern whether the government is implementing the Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulation, 1873 or is bringing its own law but our main concern is any legislation being proposed should have in it the spirit of the ILP,” Synrem said.

Asked, the HYC leader elaborated that by implementing the provisions of the ILP, it will regulate the entry of outsiders into state.

“They (outsiders) will have to obtain permit. The period of their stay should not be more than 179 days and those found entering the state without permit should be penalised,” he said.

“We also maintained that we will not accept the Meghalaya Resident Safety and Security Act if it is found to not having these provisions,” Synrem stated.

Earlier, activists were seen putting up black flags and banners in the two main commercial areas – Motphran and Khyndailad amid tight security.

Apart from people being pinned with black flags, activists also requested vehicles plying in the city roads to put up black flags after making them aware on the importance of the ILP.

However, when police removed and seized the black flags put up on the railing of the rotary at Khyndailad on ground that it is a government property, leaders of the confederation confronted and demanded police officials to give back the black flags.

CoMSO vice chairman and president of the Hynniewtrep Achik National Movement (HANM) Lamphrang Kharbani said the black flag day today marked the beginning of our agitations which will continue till the demand for ILP is achieved.

“We are determined to intensify our agitations if the state government delays the implementation of the ILP, which is the only strong mechanism that can protect the indigenous people of the state,” Kharbani said.

Meanwhile, the CoMSO would soon sit for a meeting to decide on their future course of action.

By Our Reporter