SHILLONG, Dec 4 - The Confederation of Meghalaya Social Organizations (CoMSO) today submitted a memorandum to State Governor Satya Pal Malik, demanding implementation of the inner line permit (ILP) regime in Meghalaya.
The organisations stated that the indigenous people of the State are a minority in the context of the national population and thus, they need special protection like the indigenous people of Mizoram, Nagaland, Arunachal Pradesh and Manipur.
�The four North Eastern States have put in place laws and mechanisms to contain unregulated entry of people into their States by implementing the Inner Line Permit (ILP) System, which is an offshoot of the Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulation Act 1873,� the CoMSO said.
�However, our State, which has been demanding ILP for a very long time, has been denied this law and mechanism by the Central Government,� the memorandum added.
It also drew the attention of the Governor towards the resolution unanimously adopted by the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly in 2019, which urged the Centre to implement the ILP system in the State under the Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulation Act, 1873.
The CoMSO said that the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly in March this year adopted the Meghalaya Residents Safety and Security (Amendment) Bill, 2020 and forwarded it to the Governor for his assent.
�The objective of the Bill is to ensure enhanced security, vetting of tenants and ensure the safety and security of citizens of the State by preventing antisocial elements from gaining shelter in the State which might be detrimental to peace and tranquillity,� the memorandum said.
The organisation told the Governor that this Bill �is lying with your office for your kind consideration�. The CoMSO said the Bill would go a long way in protecting the indigenous people of the State.
Later, CoMSO chairman Robertjune Kharjahrin said that the Governor assured the delegation of all assistance in protection of the aspirations of the people.
The Governor said that the ILP is a subject matter of the Central Government and the President and so he cannot comment much on it, Kharjahrin said, adding that the Governor, however, stated that he respects the decision of the Legislative Assembly and is willing to accompany the Chief Minister to Delhi if invited to pursue the matter.
On the amendment Bill, the Governor said that he would consult the ministries concerned and once he got their approval, he would give his assent to the Bill.
