SHILLONG, April 17 - The Meghalaya Government will examine the demand for the implementation of the Inner Line Permit (ILP) system in the State as has been assured by Chief Minister Conrad Sangma, according to the Hynniewtrep Youth Council (HYC).
The Chief Minister had made this assurance to a delegation of the HYC which met him at the main secretariat here today. The HYC also submitted its charter of demands, seeking legislation and implementation of strong and effective laws for all-round protection and promotion of the rights of the indigenous people.
�He (the Chief Minister) has assured that he will take up the demand for the ILP and other laws for discussion with the Cabinet ministers. After examining the matter, a meeting will be convened with us,� HYC president Peter Lawai said after the meeting.
The other anti-influx laws proposed for implementation include residential permit for immigrants and visitors, work permit system, trading and business permit, prohibition and detection of benami transaction and national registration of citizenship.
HYC general secretary Robertjune Kharjahrin, meanwhile, claimed that the demand for implementation of the ILP was a victory for the Council since other NGOs have started changing their mind by again supporting the demand.
�Even the Congress, which had rejected the demand when it was in the ruling Government, has also started accepting the Inner Line Permit and its effectiveness,� he said.
Though the issue was not raised during the meeting, the HYC maintained its strong opposition against the proposal by the State Government to issue work permits to Bangladeshi nationals.
�We would strongly oppose any attempt either by the Centre or the State Government to encourage or facilitate influx of outsiders into the State. We will not accept if the present State Government is trying to encourage Bangla nationals to come and work in our State,� Kharjahrin said.
He, however, said that the Council would welcome it if the work permit so proposed by the State Government is to regulate the coming of outsiders into the State for employment and other livelihood activities.
