SHILLONG, FEB 14: The People’s Democratic Front (PDF) has assured to regulate the entry of outsiders into the Khasi and Jaintia Hills region through the traditional institutions.
The 10-point manifesto released by the PDF chief Ivanlumlang Marbaniang here on Thursday also promised to strengthen the existing law Trading by Non-Tribal Regulation, 1954 in order to address the issue of influx.
The PDF, a newly floated regional political party, is presently having four MLAs in the 60-member House and is one of the coalition partners supporting the ruling National People’s Party (NPP)-Meghalaya Democratic Alliance (MDA) government in the state.
However, the party is contesting only in 24 seats which include 15 in the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) and 9 in the Jaintia Hills Autonomous District Council (JHADC). Elections to both the district councils are slated to be held on February 27.
“We assured to find out ways and means to check the entry of outsiders into the region,” Marbaniang told reporters.
Asked on the stand of the party with regards to the demand for implementation of the Inner Line Permit (ILP) system, PDF leader and sitting MDC from Mawkhar-Pynthorumkhrah James Ban Basaiawmoit however said ILP is one of the mechanisms which can prevent permanent settlement by outsiders.
“However, we propose to streamline the functioning of Elaka department in order to strengthen the traditional institutions to check entry and settlement by illegal influx in the different villages under the jurisdiction of the district council,” Basaiawmoit said.
He said the PDF would also ensure that the Trading by Non-Tribal Regulation, 1954 is implemented in letter and spirit to see that there should be a limit in issuing trading license to non-indigenous traders.
In addition to this, PDF working president and cabinet minister Banteidor Lyngdoh said that the state government is committed to bring more effective laws to tackle the problem of influx and illegal immigration into the state.
“The government is trying to come up with mechanisms which have similar provisions of the ILP,” he said.
With regards to the Village Administration Bill which is still pending for assent by the Governor, Lyngdoh said the party will discuss on how to ensure the provisions of the Bill do not come into conflict with the Constitution of India.
Basaiawmoit on the other hand said that the party if it comes to power would set up a committee which will comprise of experts to study the flaws in the Bill, which seeks to empower traditional institutions and their heads, and ensure that it becomes an Act at the earliest.
Appealing to the people to give PDF a chance, the sitting MDC said, “Give us a chance to serve you (people). If you feel that we have failed you have every right to reject the party after five years.”
Meanwhile, the party also assured to bring laws to protect the customary and land rights of the indigenous people, to improve and streamline the functioning of the district councils, to address unemployment problems, to promote traditional music, preserve the environment and others.
By Our Reporter
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