KHNAM also joins the ILP bandwagon

SHILLONG, AUG 30: Joining issue with the ngos, the Khun Hynniewtrep National Awakening Movement (KHNAM) has demanded that the Congress led Meghalaya United Alliance (MUA-II) government to pass a “resolution” on the need for introduction of the Inner Line Permit (ILP) to check influx even as it announced that it is boycotting the proposed all political parties meeting called by state chief minister Mukul Sangma on September 3.

KHNAM working president Adfilbert Nongrum told reporters on Friday, “The state government first needs to take the initiative by passing a resolution in the assembly to implement the ILP before we take up the matter at the central level whether to participate or not in the meeting.”

Nongrum said it is the responsibility of the centre and the state governments to check and prevent influx into Meghalaya. He informed that the KHNAM has decided to extend its support to the NGOs on their protest to pressurize the state government to immediately implement the ILP in the state.

The meeting on Thursday between the ngos and the state government on the introduction of the ILP failed after which the ngos announced their first phase of agitation by calling for a 12 hour bandh on Monday (5am to 5 pm) next.

According to KHNAM, it is only the ILP that can curb influx and infiltration of illegal immigrants into the state.

Nongrum said there is no other mechanism better than the ILP and questioned chief minister as to why is he trying to hide the suggestions and recommendations of the High Level Committee on Influx (HLCI) headed by the then Deputy CM Bindo M Lanong last year.

Nongrum said, “Who is he (CM) to hide the report of the HLCI constituted on his own advice, Sangma cannot take the people for a ride like this. It is not acceptable.”

KHNAM has two MDCs, Adilbert Nongrum and James Ban Basaiawmoit in the KHADC.

Stating that since its inception, the party has been fighting for the implementation of the ILP, Nongrum said, “ILP is one of the top priority issues listed in the party’s manifesto since the MLA elections in 2003, 2008 and 2013.”

Accusing the United Democratic Party (UDP)  of not being serious about the issue, Nongrum said, “The UDP has failed to highlight the issue of influx or ILP in their party manifesto and on top of that the UDP was a coalition partner of the MUA-I congress led government where it tremendously failed to  address this particularly issue.”

Pointing out that Hill State People’s Democratic Party (HSPDP) is also one party with similar views like KHNAM on the ILP issue, Nongrum said, “We will  approach the HSPDP to work together to pressurize the government that it should implement ILP in the state.”

Answering a query Nongrum said the KHNAM welcomes all the mechanisms including the tenancy law suggested by the government but feels that it would not be wise to deviate from the important issue of introduction of the ILP.-By Our Reporter