By IANS,
Shillong: Meghalaya Chief Minister Mukul Sangma Tuesday ruled out inviting the agitating pressure groups for dialogue over the issue of Inner Line Permit (ILP) – a system to regulate entry of outsiders into the state.
“How many times as a chief minister, I have had discussions with them on this issue (ILP)… the stand of the government is very clear and transparent on this issue and we don’t want to discuss on that subject anymore,” Sangma told journalists here.
He also made it clear that the introduction of the ILP will not be effective in curbing the influx of illegal Bangladeshi immigrants into Meghalaya.
The chief minister, however, appealed to the agitating groups, to give their suggestions to the draft Regulation of Landlords and Tenants Verification Bill to address the issue.
Meghalaya, particularly the Khasi-Jaintia Hills region, has witnessed several cases of arson since Sep 2 after talks between Sangma and pro-Inner Line Permit (ILP) pressure groups reached a dead end.
Stating that public consultation on the draft bill would continue across Meghalaya, the chief minister said the proposed bill is linked to the overall interest of the state and to create an ecosystem for proper integration of all stakeholders in mitigating the issue of influx and illegal immigrants.
The bill proposes to check the antecedents of people who seek to rent premises in the state, and also puts the onus upon landlords to rent out their properties responsibly.
Fourteen organisations include the Khasi Students’ Union, the Federation of Khasi, Jaintia, Garo People and the Hynniewtrep National Youth Front are demanding the introduction of permit system, the absence of which, they say, would lead to the number of people entering Meghalaya getting out of control, given the state’s proximity to Bangladesh and Assam.
ILP is an official travel document issued by the Indian government to allow inward travel of an Indian citizen into a protected/restricted area for a limited period.
It is obligatory for Indian citizens from outside those states to obtain permit for entering into the restricted areas.