Meghalaya has reserved its rights to get ILP: UDP

SHILLONG, JAN 23: The United Democratic Party (UDP) on Thursday said Meghalaya has already reserved its right for introduction of the Inner Line Permit (ILP) system in the state.

The central executive committee of the party which held its meeting here has also decided to fully support the resolution adopted by the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly on December 19, last year for urging the Centre to implement the ILP in the whole state.

After the meeting, chief adviser of the party Bindo M Lanong told reporters that the entire Khasi, Jainita and Garo Hills region of the state were originally under the Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulation, 1873.

He said however in 1897, Garo Hills was repealed from the provisions of the ILP for some reasons. According to him, one of the reasons being that part of Garo Hills especial the plain areas were under Lakhimpur district of Assam and that land system at that time was under the Zamindari system.

Lanong, who is also a former deputy chief minister, pointed out that Arunachal Pradesh and Manipur were not there in the original regulation.

“ILP was introduced in Arunachal Pradesh (later) and very recently in Manipur. Therefore, we have that right from day one the regulation was announced, so we have already reserved our right for introduction of ILP in the state,” he said.

The senior leader informed that the CEC also decided to endorse the resolution adopted by the state Assembly to implement ILP in the entire state.

“We are happy that all political parties including the opposition with one voice had adopted the resolution last month and we wish that the Centre will have nothing stand on its way for introduction and implementation of ILP here,” he said.

When asked, general secretary of the party, Jemino Mawthoh said the state have been battling for the last four decades in as far as the issue of influx and illegal immigration is concerned.

“This is the right time for the state to come up with something which is very concrete for the protection and safeguard of the indigenous people,” he said while informing that the process is on since the assembly had passed the resolution.

Stating there has been a lot of debate on whether Meghalaya will get ILP or now, Mawthoh however said, “Since we have collectively made a decision, we are going to pursue the matter and let us hope and see that the decision of the Centre will also be forthcoming.”

To a question on whether implementation of the ILP will affect the tourism sector in the state, Lanong said that he does not see that ILP will have any negative impact on the businesses and economy of the people.

By Our Reporter