Since all 60 MLAs of the Meghalaya Assembly have voted for a resolution in favour of the Inner Line Permit in the state, it shows that the public’s demand for the ILP is a real one, United Democratic Party general secretary Jemino Mawthoh has told Highland Post.
“If 60 MLAs irrespective of party affiliation came forward to raise the issue on ILP the government of India has to also be realistic on the issue,” he said.
The issue has come back to the fore with the expected visit of Union Home Minister Amit Shah to Meghalaya on July 17.
Stating there have been so many intermittent upheavals and agitations in the state on the issue of influx and immigrants which means that the problem is real, he said, “We want to see how sensitive is the government of India on this issue and I personally feel that the government of India should take the matter seriously and respect the sentiments of the people because this issue has been voice by all the 60 MLAs representing all the 60 constituencies, which speak volumes.”
He also said that if the Centres thinks otherwise then let it be clear-cut on why ILP is not suitable for Meghalaya when it has already been implemented in Manipur, Mizoram, Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh.
