By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: The final report of the High Level Committee (HLC) on Influx has recommended introduction of the Inner Line Permit in the State including Garo Hills.
The final report was circulated to the various NGOs on Friday seeking their comments, if any, within December 10.
The HLC, in its final report, has recommended that the ILP could be structured in a manner that would facilitate the participation of traditional institutions, NGOs and civil society and due care and exercise needs to be taken so that genuine citizens should not be subjected to undue harassment.
While referring to the comments of Advocate General, KS Kynjing, who mentioned the reasons which led to the repeal of Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulation, 1873 in 1897 which excluded Garo Hills from the provisions of ILP, the final report stated that the amendment of the Act in 1897 has repealed as many as 35 enactments in so far as the extension and application of ILP in the Garo Hills region is concerned.
“The repealing of the 35 laws had been mentioned in the Preamble. The reasons for repealing of the Act in general could have been on the basis of local conditions available in the Garo Hills. During those days, there were Zamindars from the plain districts of Goalpara holding estates in Garo Hills extending to Goalpara district,” the final report stated.
On the extension of the provisions of the Act with regards to Garo Hills, the final report stated that a separate legislation would be required for extension of ILP in Garo Hills.