Govt’s objective is not ILP: CM

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaOctober 16, 2019

SHILLONG: Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma on Wednesday said focusing on the Inner Line Permit (ILP) would only mean going away from the main issue of protecting the indigenous people. 

Talking to media persons at the sidelines of a meeting, Sangma said the objective of the state government is to protect the people and ILP is just one mechanism to do that. 

“(However) the objective is not ILP…there are many mechanisms that are there and that is why I think everyone need to understand that is the objective around which we should work. Focusing on ILP and say we want ILP (would mean) you are going away from the main issue which is protecting our people,” he said. 

He was reacting to the growing demand for immediate implementation of the ILP system to check influx and illegal immigration into the state. 

The chief minister said that is the reason why the government in the past has decided to come up with the Meghalaya Residents, Safety and Security Act, 2016 after having done a lot of consultation.

“As a government we will continue to work with that objective of ensuring our people are protected. Mechanisms can be discussed but the objective is to safeguard our people,” he reasserted. 

The state government has also decided to amend the Meghalaya Residents, Safety and Security Act after taking all stakeholders on board. 

Asked as to when the government is holding consultation with all political parties on the matter, Sangma said, “Once we are ready with our documentation and paper work we will be calling people especially the political parties for consultation so that we take everybody on board.” 

According to him, after listening to everybody the government will decide on the best way to move forward. He however said the date and time may be fixed after Diwali.