Former Nongkrem MLA, Ardent M Basaiawmoit, said today that the Umling infiltration checkpoint is an eyewash and the government will cave in to pressure and remove it if other states object.
“The moment any inconveniences or objection from nearby states comes forth against the entry-exit point, it will end just like the other infiltration gates,” he told reporters today.
He claimed that implementing the Inner Line Permit (ILP) in Meghalaya will not affect tourism, pointing to Arunachal Pradesh and Mizoram as states that have ILP and “flourishing” tourist economies.
Instead of waiting on the Central government to deliver ILP to the state, he stated that the state government could go ahead and introduce the mechanism by itself.
“A year has passed since the passage of the resolution on ILP (in the state Assembly) but there is no sincerity at all by our legislators, only excuses and politics,” he said.
He admitted that it was possible that the state Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is trying to take credit and gain political mileage by trying to deliver ILP ahead of the 2023 state election.
He also lambasted Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong who said that no development coming from Assam should be hindered.
“We know Assam is trying to encroach on Meghalaya land by any means and mainly in the name of development and if Tynsong is encouraging such developmental activities by Assam in Meghalaya then it is very irresponsible of him,” he said.
Meanwhile, Basaiawmoit said that his Iada la Ka Ri (Protect the Land) movement will now start distributing pamphlets to the public to enlighten them on the fight against corruption, clean politics, and the merits of ILP in the state.
