A conglomeration of pressure groups, comprising the Hynñiewtrep Youths Council (HYC), Jaiñtia National Council (JNC) and Confederation of Ri-Bhoi People (CoRP), have petitioned Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma for full exemption of the controversial Citizenship Amendment Act from Meghalaya and implementation of the Inner Line Permit (ILP) in the state.
Although the CAA provides exemptions in applicability in tribal areas of Meghalaya, which comprise all but a sliver of territory in the state, the pressure groups are worried that even this small area within Shillong could see a swell in non-tribal population if the CAA is applicable there. The other concern is that once a foreigner gains Indian citizenship through the act, there will be nothing stopping them from moving to Meghalaya, which again could cause an increase of non-tribals versus indigenous tribals and that is why the trio of groups want the ILP implemented.
“In the absence of any law that regulates the movement of people entering the state, we fear that the exemption provided will be futile and we may face unwarranted situations of influx into the state. Therefore, the only protection that we can have from this spill-over effect is the immediate implementation of ILP as well as full exemption of the provisions of the Citizenship Amendment Act in the state,” HYC leader Roy Kupar Synrem said.
Members of political parties in the state government, including the National People’s Party and even the Bharatiya Janata Party have said that they would seek an exemption from the CAA for the whole of Meghalaya but how committed they would be to this and how willing to acquiesce the central government would be is yet to be seen.
