SHILLONG, Feb 21 - Union Home Minister Amit Shah has assured a delegation of the Meghalaya Government led by Chief Minister Conrad Sangma, that tribal rights would be protected by the Central Government.
The delegation comprised Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong, Sports Minister Banteidor Lyngdoh, Urban Affairs Minister Hamletson Dohling, Chairman of Meghalaya Planning Board Lambor Malgniang and others.
The delegates met the Home Minister in New Delhi last evening to seek implementation of the inner line permit (ILP) system in the State.
They informed Shah about a resolution passed by the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly for the implementation of ILP in the State.
�MDA partners met Amit Shah to urge the Centre to implement ILP in the State. The Home Minister has assured that the Central Government is examining the matter,� Sangma said.
The Chief Minister, quoting the Home Minister, said that the Constitution of India has different provisions to protect the rights of the tribals and �the Government of India will never allow those rights to be diluted in any way�.
He further said that Shah has assured the delegation that the Centre would work with the Meghalaya Government to ensure that the interests of the tribal people are safeguarded.
�The Centre has assured that the Government will always ensure that the tribal rights are protected in every possible way,� Sangma said.
On the issue of ILP implementation, the Union Home Minister said that the Central Government is examining the resolution passed by the Meghalaya Assembly.
Shah held discussions with the delegation close to 40 minutes and deliberated on a host of other issues relating to the State such as development of border areas and improving security of the State.
