Four pressure groups have expressed satisfaction at the pace of construction work on the Umling checkpoint to counter illegal influx into Meghalaya.
However, the groups remain adamant in their demand for the implementation of the Inner Line Permit (ILP) in the state and will hold sit-ins in protest over the non-introduction of ILP by the central government even though the Meghalaya Assembly had passed a unanimous motion in favour of it last year.
Leaders of the four pressure groups – Khasi Students Union (KSU), Ri-Bhoi Youth Federation (RBYF), Federation of Khasi, Jaiñtia and Garo People (FKJGP) and Hynñiewtrep National Youth Front (HNYF) – inspected the Umling site and said they expect the government will be able to meet its own deadline for completion of the prefabricated structure by next month and begin working to combat illegal immigration.
However, they warned that if the government was “not serious” about tackling influx, the four organisations will install their own checkpoint.
They added that they will continue to oppose the implementation of the Citizenship Amendment Act in Meghalaya.
The sit-ins on Thursday will be held in multiple districts as a mark of the groups’ opposition to the lack of implementation of ILP in the state.
