By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: The National Security Advisory Board (NSAB) during its two-day sitting skipped the issue of Inner Line Permit (ILP) as their main focus was on administrative issues with regard to law and order and enforcement agencies.
Speaking to reporters here after the meeting with civil society members on Tuesday, NSAB Chairman Naresh Chandra said that the issue on the introduction of ILP has not been discussed.
“We have not discussed on the ILP issue because the meeting is confined to administrative issues to be addressed with regards to law and order issues, enforcement agencies operated in the region and government,” Chandra said.
The NSAB met members of non-governmental state representatives from the different North Eastern states. However, prominent NGOs like the KSU, FKJGP, CSWO, HNYF and others were left out from the purview of the meeting.
“We were never informed about the visit of the board nor we were invited to meeting,” CSWO leader Agnes Kharshiing said.
However, when asked, the chairman said, “Actually we did not say NGOs but we are saying members of civil societies,” adding “We have professors, former ministers, people heading NGOs including Nagaland Mothers Association and those from Tripura and others.”
“It’s not that there are no NGOs… but it depends on who ever responded, Mr Chandra explained, adding that the Board was not here to analyse issues which are already well known but to look for concrete suggestions from individuals, academia and civil society.
Meanwhile, highlighting the main issues discussed at the meeting, the NSAB chairman said a number of good ideas on how to propose for greater economic development, promote entrepreneurship of young persons in the North Eastern Region, and the Look East Policy were discussed at the meeting.
Taking note of the deficiencies in performance of institutions and educational facilities, Chandra said The Board would suggest improvement programmes especially with regards to access to health care delivery. A heated discussion ensued when Rosemary Dzuvichu of Nagaland University raised the issue of gender discrimination by the Government of Nagaland which refused to reserve seats for women in the Municipalities. Some women’s organisations have now taken the case to the Supreme Court. Meanwhile Mizoram representative Dr Lalneihzovi of Mizoram University said in Mizoram the Government has passed a Bill for reservation of seats in the Municipalities. Out of 19 members elected to the Municipality, 6 are women, she informed.
Chairman NSAB said tradition cannot be the plea for holding on to archaic laws selectively and urged Ms Dzuvichi to get other co-signatories to strengthen the case.
Besides the above, issues the attending members discussed and highlighted on the need for greater participation of women in legislative bodies, administrative bodies and committees. Dr BK Tiwari of NEHU drew the attention of the Board to the environmental insecurity that could arise due to land alienation where sections of society are afflicted by landlessness while a few are acquiring hectares of prime land. “This may not have immediate implications but is a cause of concern in the long term,” Dr Tiwari added.
About connectivity issues, Chandra said the defence minister has convened a high level meeting for expediting construction of roads and improvement of air landing facilities especially in difficult areas of the country like North East India.
“The air force has been given instruction to improve aircraft landing facilities at distance places,” he said adding “We have also taken note of certain specific proposals and there was also a strong support for improving relationship with Bangladesh and Myanmar and improving trade and transit facilities with them.”