Editor,
Much has been said and written about influx and ILP in the last few days. Social networking sites are buzzing with concerns about the state’s future, racial abuses and pragmatic thoughts. In all these we are ignoring some facts on which this agitation should have been based in the first place. The fact is in a state like Nagaland where ILP has been enforced the population of so called ‘non-indigenous’ people has risen whereas in Meghalaya it has reduced to 10% from 20% three decades ago. So facts and figures militate against such a law in Meghalaya. Why has ILP failed in a fur flung state like Nagaland whose geographical location is much more advantageous than ours in having such as draconian law? Well, it doesn’t take much to grease a palm and turn a law upside down in this country. Politicians with vested interests, NGOs and middlemen gain when such laws are enacted.
When we hear alarmists constantly give us examples about Nagaland it sounds funny to the ears. How many of the local indigenous people would whole heartedly want their state to be like Nagaland? It isn’t a dream one should aspire for. We are far better off and we should admit that fact. We are used to seeing people from Nagaland migrate to Shillong for better opportunities in education and career and not vice versa. Such draconian law has made life tough in Nagaland where high cost of living and price rise has affected the indigenous people more than anyone. For example even in the urban towns of the state retail items sell well over their ‘maximum retail price’!
Lastly if there is influx of people with suspected nationalities why hasn’t the present mechanism of anti-infiltration check gates been of any help? There could be two reasons for this – one the ‘illegal migrants’ don’t make use of the natural roads and highways to enter the state; if so then ILP would fail unless the whole state is barb- wired which is practically impossible. The second reason for failure could be such officials not adhering to their duty, which is more likely the case. We are used to seeing people with suspected nationalities being disembarked from vehicles in different interstate check gates. What happens to them next? How many are arrested or pushed back? None, they simply pay an ‘entry fee’ to the guardians of law and are on their way into the State. So even if ILP is implemented it guarantees no solution to the problem of influx.
The solution lies in skill development of the indigenous people and better work culture which will discourage the import of migrant labour from outside Meghalaya. It will make the State much more self-reliant and create an economic scenario which is sustainable and offers growth opportunities for all without dividing them based on their ethnicity. Name one NGO or political party which is working towards this? You shall have your answers.
Yours etc.,
Subhadeep Bhattacharjee
Shillong – 6