Voice of the People Party (VPP) spokesman Batskhem Myrboh said that there is no harm for the State Assembly to discuss and pass fresh resolution on Inner Line Permit (ILP) and put pressure on the Government of India for its implementation in Meghalaya.
“What has been adopted by the Legislative Assembly shows the voice of the people of the State and the legitimate voice. The agitation by pressure groups has its part but the legitimate voice is the State Legislative Assembly and government,” Myrboh told Highland Post today.
Rubbishing allegations that ILP will affect tourism and development in the State, he further said that ILP will bring a sense of security among the people.
“We are just ethnic minorities and we need protection from the threat of influx. The fear perception of our people translates to a movement that affects the development of a State. And for development, we need peace and tranquility and ILP can bring a sense of security among the people and the Centre should respect the sentiments of the indigenous people on this issue,” Myrboh said.
He also said that the struggle for ILP in Meghalaya has been a long protracted one exhibiting different characteristics in different phases.
According to Myrboh, there are embedded complexities concerning the demand and implementation of ILP in Meghalaya at various phases.
“One cannot predict with certainty the course that these struggles will take. However, we can only state that, as it stands today, the struggle will persist without any signs of fading away,” he said.
