The central government is not opposed to the Inner Line Permit (ILP) in Meghalaya per se but is studying how to go about implementing it, cabinet minister and state government spokesperson Paul Lyngdoh said today.
The Meghalaya Assembly had unanimously passed a resolution in December 2019 in favour of ILP implementation in the state but even more than five years on it has not been given the nod of the Centre.
Lyngdoh stated that discussions between the state and central governments are ongoing.
“In my last briefing, I mentioned that the Chief Minister had met the Union Home Minister. The Centre’s concern is not with the concept of ILP per se but with logistical and administrative challenges,” he explained.
One of the main issues flagged is Meghalaya’s role as a transit point to states like Mizoram, Tripura and parts of Assam. “The challenge is how do we implement ILP while facilitating smooth transit?” Lyngdoh said.
Another concern raised by the Centre revolves around the existing constitutional powers vested in the autonomous district councils (ADCs) under the Sixth Schedule; these bodies are already empowered to regulate entry into tribal areas.
Lyngdoh reiterated that the ILP demand is far from abandoned. “It is not the end of the road for our state. Negotiations are ongoing and our effort is to persuade the central government by addressing their concerns and proving our readiness to implement the ILP effectively.”
Meanwhile, Lyngdoh welcomed the passage of the Immigration and Foreigner Bill in Parliament, calling it a significant step forward in curbing illegal immigration in the North East, particularly in border states like Meghalaya.
“This is a major development and we welcome it, especially for a state like Meghalaya, which shares a long and porous international border,” Lyngdoh said. Highlighting the state’s vulnerability due to its proximity to Assam – a state often grappling with illegal immigration issues – the minister said the bill would strengthen the region’s ability to deal with cross-border infiltration.
Citing the “volatile political situation” in neighbouring Bangladesh, Lyngdoh stressed the urgency of taking concrete steps to safeguard Meghalaya’s demographic balance. “We are thankful that the government at the Centre is paying adequate attention to this serious matter,” he said.
