Shillong, Jun 3: Deputy Chief Minister and Home Minister Prestone Tynsong today said the state government would utilise any opportunity to meet Union Home Minister Amit Shah during his visit to Shillong to once again press for long-pending issues, including the implementation of the Inner Line Permit (ILP) and the inclusion of Khasi and Garo languages in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution.
Speaking to reporters ahead of the 73rd Plenary Session of the North Eastern Council (NEC), which Shah is attending, Tynsong clarified that the plenary session itself would primarily focus on NEC-related matters. However, he said the state government would seek an opportunity to discuss pending issues with Shah on the sidelines of the event.
“When it comes to pursuing pending issues from the government’s side, if we get the opportunity to meet the Home Minister, we will certainly apprise him and raise the issues of ILP and the inclusion of our languages in the Eighth Schedule, which has already been endorsed by the Assembly,” Tynsong said.
On whether the issue of unfenced stretches along the India-Bangladesh border in Meghalaya would be taken up during discussions, the Deputy CM said he was not aware of the specific agenda but believed the matter could figure in deliberations concerning development and security in the North East.
“As the meeting is expected to discuss issues related to the development and security of the entire North Eastern region, I am very sure this subject may also come up,” he said.
Responding to questions on the long-pending railway expansion project in Meghalaya and whether the Centre may seek an explanation for the lack of progress, Tynsong maintained that the state government has never opposed the project outright.
“We never said that we would stop the railway project. What we have consistently maintained is that all stakeholders must be taken on board. That is the main issue,” he said.
The Deputy Chief Minister reiterated that the state’s priority remains securing ILP, a demand that has long been raised by various organisations and sections of society in Meghalaya.
“The stakeholders and citizens of the state have been very clear. Their first demand is ILP. Once that issue is considered, then discussions on the railway project can move forward,” Tynsong added.
