From Our Correspondent
NONGSTOIN: Continuing their state wide meetings on the ILP issue, the FKJGP, KSU and HNYF conducted another public meeting at Nongstoin on Thursday.
The meeting was organised with an aim to make people aware of the importance of implementation of the Inner Line Permit (ILP) in order to protect the identity of the indigenous tribal people of Meghalaya.
“Implementation of the ILP in the State will ensure your security against the menace of non- tribals,” Joe Marwein told the people.
He added “If ILP does not come into play, the indigenous people of Meghalaya would lose their identity in less than two decades. ILP in Arunachal Pradesh has been very successful in restricting the entry and regulating their stay in the State. Many non- tribals living in Meghalaya are drawing the benefits of the local people of Meghalaya.”
He also said that non- tribals were responsible for the rising crime rates in the State. “Most constituencies in East Khasi Hills these days depend on the votes of non- tribals. As a result, MLAs and Ministers are afraid to lose their seats and therefore do not exhibit their support on the issue whole heartedly, Marwein added. He expressed his happiness that wherever the meeting was conducted, they received the support of the people and are even willing to support their state wide agitation.
KSU president, Daniel Khriem said, “Non- tribals come to Meghalaya as labourers and gradually, like parasites, begin to devour on the host till it is full.” He alleged “They first try to find a local bride, and then try to capture the business and finally the land of the local people.” He said that non- tribals living without any restrictions pose a serious threat to the indigenous people of Meghalaya.
Khriem told the people the NGOs that are pursuing the implementation of the ILP would never give in and would fight for it till the end. He also said that discussions with CEMs of the KHADC, GHADC and the JHADC prior to the elections had a unanimous and whole hearted support. However, post the election, the CEM of the KHADC sought more time to declare his decision. Khriem said that the CEM of the KHADC wanted more time to study the pros and cons of the issue and finally deliver his verdict.