SHILLONG, APR 29: The thirteen pro Inner Line Permit (ILP) ngos submitted a “comprehensive-mechanism” to combat illegal immigration and regulate influx into Meghalaya which chief minister Mukul Sangma said is implementable.
The ngos’ proposal submitted to state government during its meeting on Tuesday is in line with the Eastern Bengal Frontier Regulation Act, 1873.
Welcoming the recommendations, Sangma appreciated the effort put in by the ngos in structuring the anti-influx mechanism and said it can be perceive the proposal as implementable. He informed that now it is the responsibility of the state government to give shape to the proposal and make it legally sound to achieve the objective of combating illegal migration and influx into the state.
The pro ILP ngos had launched series of agitations last year demanding implementation of the British-era regulation act – the Inner Line Permit (ILP) but now has proposed a modified comprehensive Permit ILP to suit the local conditions.
“We have submitted at least 10 points to the government to structure a mechanism in line with Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulation Act, 1873 but better than the existing ILP,” Federation of Khasi Jaintia and Garo People (FKJGP) president Joe Marwein told reporters after the meeting on Tuesday.
Hynñiewtrep National Youth Front (HNYF) general secretary Sadon K. Blah said the modified ILP which has been proposed is different from the existing ILP because according to the existing Regulation Act, there should be a liason office to issue the permit but what has been proposed is to have an ILP which is spot entry permission.
“We have proposed to implement this within the ambit of the regulation act and which is the administrative look out of the state government,” Blah said.
Blah also informed that if proposed mechanism is implemented everybody entering the state will have to produce a permit to the authorities concerned like village dorbars. He said, “Everybody including central government employees, students will be given a onetime permit till they completed their studies or term in the state.”
Stating that all entry and exit points to the state will be strictly kept watch, Blah said “We proposed the setting up of counters to check and issue permit to people from outside when they enter the state,” adding “There will be no pre-issuing of permit like was done in the existing ILP.”
Highlighting more on the issue, Blah said the ngos have also proposed strong measures to detect and check on benami transaction in the state since the exiting Benami Act of the state is ineffective.
Lauding the efforts put forth by the ngos, chief minister Mukul Sangma expressed his happiness and said with the comprehensive suggestions and measures suggested by them for addressing the issue of illegal immigration and influx they have demonstrated their dedication and sincerity to the problem of influx.
Stating that after deliberation on the points the ngos had suggested , Sangma said, “In order to implement this programme, we need to structure this comprehensive mechanism and give shape in a manner that becomes implementable without coming into conflict with any existing laws passed by the parliament or without coming into conflict with any of the provision enshrined by the constitution in respect to fundamental rights.”
Sangma said with confidence, he on behalf of the government can promise to move forward and will be taking all the necessary steps to ultimately take a decision and put the comprehensive mechanism into operation to address the issue of influx and illegal immigration.- By Our Reporter
The ngos and the government have been able to eschew the type of bandhs or office picketing or night road blockade which may arise if the two have different opinions today. But the machanisms which are put by the ngos for which Mukul Sangma conveys his appreciation will be indeed implemented? When? There is doubt.
after hearing from Modi that illegal bangladeshi immigrants have to pack up once modi voted to power, our CM ears raised quite amusingly.. He showed some understanding because his govt is at stake. Once the BJP get seated at the centre and NPP join with BJP, Mukul has to countdown his validity date. He is prepare for either an exit or a compromise