CoMSO announces statewide agitations over delay to implement ILP, MRSSA

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaDecember 12, 2020

Anti-influx groups have called for a statewide agitation on December 19 as a mark of protest against the failure of the Centre to respect the resolution passed by the State Legislative Assembly for implementation of the inner line permit (ILP) in Meghalaya.

The decision was taken at a meeting of the various social organizations under the banner of the Confederation of Meghalaya Social Organizations (CoMSO) held in the city on Saturday.

“We have unanimously decided to intensify our agitations to mount pressure on the Centre for immediate implementation of the ILP in the state,” CoMSO chairman and Hynniewtrep Youth Council (HYC) chief, Robertjune Kharjahrin told reporters.

He said the statewide agitation to be held in all the districts and sub-divisional headquarters on December 19, is also to demand the Governor to immediately give his nod to the ILP-like Meghalaya Residents Safety and Security (Amendment) Bill, 2020.

Kharjahrin said the day also marked the completion of one year after the 60 legislators of the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly had unanimously passed the resolution last year urging the Centre to implement ILP in the state.

“Unfortunately instead of celebrating this day, we are forced to come out to the streets to condemn the Centre’s apathy to approve the resolution, which represents the voice of the people of the state,” he said.

Asked, he said the meeting has decided to leave it to the wisdom of the different NGOs on the kind of demonstration they would like to organize as a mark of protest during the statewide agitation.

Meanwhile, the CoMSO chairman further informed the December 19-protest would be followed by evening rallies on December 30, which also coincides with the observation of the death anniversary of a Jaintia legendary freedom fighter – U Kiang Nangbah.

“The evening rallies would feature carrying of torches as a wake up call and to revive the fight of the indigenous people of the state for ensuring that ILP and MRSSAB, 2020 are implemented in the state,” he said.