CM urges NGOs to pursue ILP demand with Centre

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaApril 19, 2021

Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma has urged the NGOs to pursue with the Centre for implementation of the Inner Line Permit (ILP) in the state.

“I would urge that the organizations should also take the step, they can move forward and meet other officials and leaders in Delhi also and pursue this matter along with the state government and try to find the solution to the problem that we are facing right now and see how we can work together in this,” Sangma told reporters on Monday.

The Chief Minister said that the Meghalaya government’s most direct and firm stand on ILP has been shown through a resolution passed in the state Assembly.

“Now beyond this, we have to pursue with the Government of India, which we are still doing but what I am saying is that at this point in time, the ball is lying in the Government of India’s court,” he added.

On Friday last, pro-ILP activists took out a surprise protest in front of the state secretariat and threatened to keep it under lock and key as they demanded implementation of the Inner Line Permit in the state.

Around two hundred activists belonging to different organizations under the umbrella Confederation of Meghalaya Social Organizations (CoMSO) also shouted slogans “No ILP, No Rest” and condemned the state government with slogans like “MDA government down down”.

Sangma however said that the protest taken out was not proper since the CoMSO had not taken any permission.

Asked on the proposed visit of the Union Home Minister, the Chief Minister said, “(The delay was) because of the West Bengal elections. Post that hopefully he (Shah) will be calling us.”