NESO joins ILP bandwagon, flays govt
SHILLONG: Joining the ILP bandwagon, the North East Students Organisation (NESO) has lambasted Meghlaya government for dilly-dallying introduction of Inner Line Permit system in the State.
Talking to reporters here on Friday, NESO chairman Samuel Jyrwa said Government committed a blunder by adopting a delaying tactics since last year on ILP issue.
On agitating pressure groups holding talks with government, he said “The ball is in government’s court but the crux of the matter is not discussion but the issue of influx in the state.”
“There is no tangible solution except the implementation of ILP in Meghalaya,” he said.
Making his organisation’s stand clear, the NESO chief said ILP system should be implemented in all the Northeastern states.
The agitating pressure groups have been insisting that the ILP, a British-era law, be introduced to contain the migration of outsiders to the state. The ruling Congress-led MUA government is, however, firm in opposing such an “archaic” step that it feels will hinder the state’s economic development by blocking investment from business.
CM flayed: Meanwhile, the pro-ILP pressure groups have criticized Chief Minister Dr Mukul Sangma for misleading people of the State on the recommendations of the High Level Committee (HLC) on Influx.
Speaking to a section of mediapersons here on Friday, FKJGP president Joe Marwein said the Congress-led MUA government was compelled to constitute the HLC in 2012 following pressure from several organisations.
According to him, the HLC had met at least on five occasions before unanimously resolving to recommend implementation of ILP system to deal with the issue of influx.
Marwein said that the Chief Minister had sought time to look into the recommendation of the committee since the Assembly election was round the corner.
“Surprisingly after nearly a year since the committee had submitted the recommendations the Chief Minister has now questioned the recommendations of the committee,” he said.
Echoing a similar view, HNYF president Sadon K Blah said “government is opposing the recommendations of the committee because it wants save its vote bank.”
Questioning the Chief Minister’s argument that ILP was a Colonial law, Blah said, “In reality Government has also not been able to provide any document to prove that the act was repealed and it is no longer applicable in Garo Hills”.
Govt action opposed: Meanwhile, the Khasi Jaintia Labour Union (KJLU) has urged the State Government to stop arresting the leaders of pro-ILP groups to bring back normalcy in the state.
Expressing concern over prevailing situation, KJLU president AP Sylliang said the influx has affected every section of the society and a solution to the current impasse must be arrived at through dialogue.