SHILLONG, SEPT 23: The United Democratic Party (UDP), the largest opposition and regional party of Meghalaya, said that a modified version of the Inner Line Permit (ILP) that would suit the local indigenous, genuine non-indigenous, topography and economic interest of the state must be implemented even as it said that an awareness must be created on the vote bank politics of the Congress that contributes to the influx into the state.
UDP working president Paul Lyngdoh told reporters on Monday after the party’s meeting that “vote bank politics” adopted by the national parties including the Congress also accounts for the increase inflow of illegal immigrants into the state posing a threat to the state.
Lyngdoh said that the party is clear that the ILP as it existed since 1873 in the original act needs to be ‘modified’ suitably and inconsonance with the local indigenous need, topography and economic interest of the state and be implemented accordingly.
UDP held a meeting to discuss the present scenario in the state after the Congress led MUA II coalition government led by Mukul Sangma and a conglomerate of ngos are at loggerhead over the implementation of the ILP in the state. As the government has made it clear that it will not implement ILP as there are other effective means of tackling influx into the state, the ngos are also firm that the government must implement the ILP thus resulting in a deadlock.
Even as Lyngdoh said that the deadlock needs to be resolve immediately for the interest of the state, he was however of the opinion that only a modified ILP is a possible solution to end the impasse. He said, “We immediately need to resolve this problem which is affecting the state.”
There is school of thoughts that feels implementation of the ILP may be against the economic interest of the state. On this, Lyngdoh said, “It is entirely up to the state assembly to see to it, if it proves otherwise, the assembly has the mandate to withdraw any law that is affecting the state.”
Lyngdoh however was firm on implementation of the ILP saying, “Shortfalls can always be identified.”
On proposed move of the state government to introduce the Tenancy Act, Lyngdoh pointed out that Assam has a total of six tenancy acts but also has eight million Bangladeshi. He said, “So how do you expect the tenancy act in Meghalaya would be of help.”
When queried whether the UDP is changing its stand on the ILP by seeking its modification of the act, Lyngdoh however said, “Meghalaya is not Nagaland; it is the transit point to many states in the North East region. That is why the need to modify comes into picture.”
Lyngdoh also said, “We are also emphatically clear that the rights of non-indigenous people who are part and parcel of Meghalaya should not be in anyway be hampered and it would rather help safeguard against the inflow of illegal influx which have the potentiality of transforming Meghalaya to another states like Tripura and Assam.”
Lyngdoh also said ‘vote bank politics’ of national parties who are using illegal immigrants for their own electoral purposes and ensure that they return back in every state assembly election is matter of serious concern. He said there is a need to create awareness among the people on this issue as Garo hills region is already having illegal immigrants who are determining the political scenario in many of its constituencies.”
The UDP also alleged that the constitution of the High Level Committee on Influx headed by the then deputy chief minister Bindo M Lanong was just a political ploy of the Congress to buy time just before the election..
Lyngdoh said, “The committee was constituted by chief minister Mukul Sangma just to contain the possibility of agitations before assembly elections by the pro ILP groups and after the election he is singing a different tune.” He said the chief minister has committed a “grave political and moral mistake” and taken the state for a ride by sidelining the recommendation of the committee.”
Lyngdoh asserted, “The chief minister has to take moral and legal responsibility for the present situation.” He also informed that an official communication on the demand for the chief minister’s resignation has already been submitted.-By Our Reporter
this is something new and fresh, great job oh!meghalaya!