By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: Amid clear indication that several regional parties are in favour of implementation of inner line permit (ILP) system in the state, Chief Minister Dr Mukul Sangma will present his government’s stand on the crucial issue at the all-party meeting scheduled to be held on Thursday.
Opposition parties namely UDP, HSPDP and KHNAM have already come out openly in support to pro-ILP activists, who have called road blockades for three nights (9pm to 5am) starting from Wednesday.
On last Thursday, the Chief Minister had expressed his determination not to implement the ILP, but would resort to existing and new laws and mechanisms to ensure that influx and illegal immigration are tackled head-on.
With government and opposition divided over the issue, Thursday’s all-party meeting is unlikely to come out with any concrete solution.
HSPDP spokesperson Ardent Miller Basaiawmoit, meanwhile, said that his party would be espousing a resolute stand on the implementation of the ILP in the all-party meeting.
“Right from the beginning, the party has been consistently demanding implementation of ILP. Even on the floor of the Assembly, we have batted in favour of ILP,” Basiawmoit said here on Wednesday.
While stating that the party had submitted a memorandum to the Chief Minister on this issue, he said the Government should first implement ILP and then discuss about evolving other mechanisms to tackle influx of illegal migrants.
“This issue needs immediate solution. We cannot afford to waste anymore time,” HSPDP spokespersons said.
Basaiawmoit, however, said his party was prepared to go to any extent if Government is adamant against the demand of implementing of the ILP.
On the arguments made by Dr Sangma that the people have rejected the implementation of ILP by referring to the total number of votes which the party secured in the 2013 Assembly elections, he said it would be wrong on the part of the Chief Minister to make such arguments “since there are many Congress MLAs who are in favour of ILP.”
“I hope he (Chief Minister) would judiciously apply his mind since it is an issue of life and death for the indigenous people of the State,” Basaiawmoit said.