By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: The demand for implementation of the Inner Line Permit (ILP) in the State got a fresh impetus with the Opposition demanding for its introduction in view of the Government’s failure to tackle influx.
While moving a motion on the issue of influx, Sohra legislator Tistosstarwell Chyne (UDP) said that the trend of unregulated entry of illegal immigrants in the State started during the early part of the 80s.
The UDP legislator also criticized the Centre and the State Government for adopting diverse strategies in addressing this problem.
“While the Union Government has favoured fencing all along the international border with Bangladesh to prevent the entry of illegal migrants from across the border, the State Government has put infiltration check gates at the main entry points to prevent illegal immigrants from entering the State,” Chyne said, while adding that the check gates have failed to prevent the entry of illegal immigrants.
Stating he was not being emotional on the issue, Chyne said that the Government’s failure to put forward a fool proof mechanism to address this problem has resulted in many areas of the city being overrun by non tribals who have outnumbered by the tribal populace.
Chyne also pointed out that the High Level Committee (HLC) headed by former Deputy Chief Minister Bindo Mathew Lanong had recommended implementation of the ILP.
Supporting ILP in the State, Mawlai legislator Embhah Syiemlieh (UDP) said that the problem of influx ‘is not a myth but a reality’ even as he stated that the NGOs from time to time have detained illegal immigrants while they were attempting to sneak into the State.
NPP legislator James K Sangma, while supporting the motion, urged the government to implement the unique identification card to thwart influx in the State.
