The Inner Line Permit (ILP) has become the sword of Damocles for the MUA-2 Government. Every now and again the pressure groups are pushing this issue to the fore. Their contention is that the ILP is imperative to contain influx from across the borders and from outside the State of Meghalaya. How the ILP can contain cross-border influx has not been spelt out by the pressure groups. This is a common phenomenon in Meghalaya. Demands are made verbally without a discussion paper being given to the government for its consideration or circulated for the benefit of the public. Nor are there public debates on issues that could have far reaching effects. The few pressure and interest groups hold the Government to ransom and make it buckle under pressure. This is not the way to govern a state. The United Democratic Party (UDP) had used the ILP as a leverage in the last election but they lost even more seats this time around. What does that say about the ILP? That it does not matter to the majority of voters in the larger scheme of things. But it seems to matter to the few pressure groups in Shillong city!
The world is rapidly shrinking and people are comfortable about visiting states where mobility is easier and restrictions minimal. Tourism can only flourish under such conditions. The ILP is an anachronistic piece of instrument designed by an imperialist power for 19th century needs. Surely the present Government can come up with a better idea to contain illegal immigration. Unfortunately the Government appears to be shelving this matter for as long as it is possible. Surely the bureaucracy should be able to exercise their minds and come up with a better and more comprehensive model for checking unabated influx from across the borders. Those who are pushing for the ILP have a genuine fear about the fast changing demographic profile of the State and the Government is expected to be responsive and to calm these fears with a more imaginative policy. The Political Affairs Department ought to get to work on this issue so that the Government does not resort to knee-jerk reactions under pressure.