SHILLONG, SEPT 10: Congress minister AL Hek denied the speculation that the Congress leaders were divided over the issue of implementation of the Inner Line Permit (ILP) as demanded by the ngos who have launched an agitation to pressurize the Congress led MUA II coalition government for its implementation.Reacting to the statement made by HSPDP legislator Ardent Basaiawmoit, who is one of the advocator for the implementation of ILP, that many in the Congress is in favour of implementing the ILP Hek said, “There is no division in the party over the issue and we all stand united now.”
The Congress led coalition government of Mukul Sangma is against implementation of the ILP in the state to control influx. Sangma instead has said that the government will put in place a stronger mechanism than the ILP to control illegal immigration into the state. Defending the state government’s decision not to implement the ILP, Hek said the government wants the state to flourish in every sector and not to remain isolated from the modern world. He said, “We cannot remain isolated if we want Meghalaya to flourish.”
Political parties in the state are divided over the issue of ILP as most of the regional parties are demanding implementation of the ILP in the state to deal with influx while the Congress and NCP are against its implementation.-By Our Reporter
