SHILLONG: Many who attended the ILP rally on Saturday were looking for more information on what the Inner Line Permit (ILP) actually means and what would be its impact but all that they got were politically surcharged, emotional speeches.
They were looking for clarity on the pros and cons of the ILP. “We cannot believe that the ILP is a fool-proof mechanism for checking influx. We wanted to hear about its downsides but all we got was a Mukul-bashing rhetoric,” said an elderly gentleman who did not wish to be quoted.
“This rally is simply a show of strength. We should have had the opportunity to raise questions and for those questions to be answered,” a college teacher from Jaintia Hills said, adding that society is heading towards a complex existence where things are not just black and white and it is important to know the plus and minus points of every legislation before it is implemented.
“While a good number of the people who attended were fed by the fear of being swamped, the pro-ILP pressure groups did not back their speeches up with proper facts and figures,” said another teacher from a local college.
From the conversation that this reporter was privy to, a good number of people came because they wanted to understand what the future course of action the ILP supporting groups would take. A couple of shop owners from Iewduh said, “We came to listen so that we will know what to expect. After all our business is affected by the turmoil that has been going on for the past three months.”
A villager from Mawkyrwat said, “I came because everyone in our area is discussing this ILP. I don’t really know what it means but the KSU and others in our area said we should support this movement because it means the life and death of ka jaidbynriew Khasi”.
Some women from West Khasi Hills who were sitting in a group outside the Students’ Field, refused to comment saying they don’t understand much but just came because they wanted to listen to what the leaders of the seng bhalang (pressure groups) had to say.