Jihadi groups may use Meghalaya as safe haven in absence of ILP, MRSA: HYC 

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaAugust 6, 2022

The Hynniewtrep Youth Council (HYC) has expressed apprehension that the state could be used by Jihadi groups as safe havens in absence of effective laws like the Inner Line Permit (ILP) and the Meghalaya Residents Safety & Security Act (MRSSA).

In a statement issued on Friday, HYC general secretary Roykupar Synrem said with Assam becoming a hot bed for ‘jihadi activities’ as is evident from the fact that several persons belonging to the Islamic Jihadi organization were arrested in the State in the past few months and the fact that Meghalaya share about 800 plus kms border with Assam and about 443 Km border with Bangladesh, it is a cause of concern for the security of the state as a whole.

Referring to the Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma saying that the government is keeping a close watch on the situation in Assam, Synrem however said, “But we are unsure whether the state government can keep a check on the movement of people especially coming from Assam when we don’t have any law which restrict or regulate movement of people into the state.”

He added “In the absence of the laws like the ILP and the Meghalaya Residents Safety & Security (Amendment) Bill, 2020, which we have been demanding all these years, we dread to think that locations in Meghalaya may also be used by these Jihadi Groups as their safe houses and carry on their activities putting the lives of the citizens of the state at great risks.”

Synrem reminded that the objectives of implementation of ILP System and the Meghalaya Residents Safety & Security (Amendment) Bill, 2020 is to ensure enhance security, vetting of tenants and ensure the safety and security of citizens of the State by preventing anti-social elements from gaining shelter in the State which might be detrimental to peace and tranquility and to maintain public order and peace.

“We would have been much safer and protected from any attempt by these Jihadis to enter our State, had laws like ILP and MRSSA Bill, 2020 are enforced or implemented,” he said.

On the other hand, the HYC leader said although the Resolution for implementation of ILP System in the State was passed since 19th December, 2019 and the MRSSA Bill, 2020 was adopted by the Assembly on 19th March, 2020, yet it seems as per statement of the Chief Minister, these two important legislations are being examined indefinitely by the Home Ministry.

“Our state government is only making noises about how serious they are working for the protection of the citizens of the state and the Hynniewtrep community, in particular but actions show otherwise,” he said.

“The Demand for taking an All Party delegation or taking all 60 MLAs of the State to New Delhi, is also being examined indefinitely by our Chief Minister and the State Government. As is evident all important issues of the state are under examination and with no result anytime soon. That is the saddest part in the state of Meghalaya under the present regime. But allotment of contracts, doesn’t matter how big the amount is, maybe allotted in a matter of days by working in a superfast mode,” he said.

Meanwhile, the HYC also warned that the state government should take full responsibility if any jihadi groups carry out any action causing loss to lives of the citizens of the state.

“…if on account of the failure of the state government to impressed the Union Home Ministry to implement the ILP System in the state if any untoward incident occurs in the State and God forbid, if any jihadi groups carry out any action causing the loss of lives of the citizens of the State, then the NPP led MDA Government and the BJP alongwith all the MLAs in the coalition will have to take the responsibility. It is because of the non-seriousness on their part that the state and the people are being deprived of the laws meant for the protection of the state,” Synrem stated.