Shillong: In the light of the ongoing agitation by the pressure groups demanding implementation of the Inner Line Permit (ILP) in Meghalaya, The Shillong Times spoke to opinion makers, thinkers and activists to solicit their views on the issue of influx and mechanisms to address the issue. They include Archbishop Dominic Jala, Dr (Mrs) MPR Lyngdoh, former Principal, Shillong College, Dr Apurba K Baruah, Retired Professor of Pol Science, NEHU, Ms Theilin Phanbuh, Chairperson, Meghalaya State Commission for Women, Dr David Syiemlieh, Member UPSC and Samuel Jyrwa, Chairman North East Students’ Organisation
ST: What are your views on the ongoing impasse in the state? Is there a way through it?
Archbishop Dr Dominic Jala: No right thinking citizen of our State is happy with the continued agitations. The ones who suffer most are the poor. For the ordinary observer of events, what appears is the standoff between two hardened positions from which there seems to be no desire to come down. This is unfortunate. Peace and tranquility can return to our land only with sincere dialogue among all.
Further, it is difficult to say with certainty that such and such a position is the desire of the people. In a democratic set up there should be ways of finding out what really is the wish of the people and who can really stand as the voice of the people. If there is no way for a spontaneous dialogue between the Government and the different groups that have been calling for agitation, let there be a neutral party to facilitate the process of dialogue. Resolution of problem situations can be arrived at only through open and sincere dialogue which, at this juncture, seems to be absent in our society.
Dr MPR Lyngdoh: The current situation is practically a stalemate, with neither parties yielding ground. Personal egos have taken precedence over common sense and the need to bring a solution which will restore Meghalaya to its previous state of stability and peace. The pressure groups refuse to budge from their demand for the implementation of ILP and the Govt is adamant that the Tenancy Bill is the solution for containing influx. The situation has dragged on for too long and has affected the common citizens both economically and socially. There is fear of communal overtones with unnecessary violence that is being seen as an ethnic backlash against the non tribal minorities. At the same time the Government is not able to bring a sense of security to the indigenous tribals who have an inherent fear of being marginalized by rampant illegal migration.
Dr David Syiemlieh: The issue of the ILP has been taken up much before the more recent concern and action of various bodies. The impasse has reached this stage as the concerns of those supporting the implementation of the ILP have not been met by the Government.
Dr AK Baruah: In all democratic politics dialogue is the answer but dialogue can take place only if freedom of expression is ensured. Therefore the Government and also the organizations launching the agitation must deal with violence with a heavy hand. No government can allow itself to be held to ransom with the threat of sporadic violence. The police must pull-up their socks before any dialogue can happen.
Ms Theilin Phanbuh: The issue of influx has now reached a flashpoint. All concerned authorities have failed to take the issue seriously and kept it in the backburner. At this juncture, the immediate need of the hour is for the Government to initiate dialogue with the concerned groups to find ways and means to tackle this problem
Samuel Jyrwa: The ongoing impasse is a direct result of the arrogance of the State Govt. It does not have the political will to respect the sentiments of the indigenous peoples of the state.
ST: What in your opinion is the crisis before Meghalaya today?
Archbishop Jala: It can be debated whether influx is the biggest threat to our society. No doubt, uncontrolled influx of illegal immigrants seriously impacts the stability of a rather small tribal population. Others will point to under-development especially in the rural areas of our State as a crucial problem; or to the mass of young people who are unemployed even if educated and trained; or, perhaps, to the lack of infrastructure, especially of suitable industrial nature, to create employment and enhance development; or to the rampant corruption in public life to which everyone can attest. Linked to these are issues like the mindless destruction of our natural resources like forests and rivers. I would place as a key issue the degradation of values in our society. This is seen most of all in the violent crimes against the sanctity of human life and especially in the crimes against women and children.
Dr MPR Lyngdoh: Influx has always been a challenge for North Eastern States in general and Meghalaya in particular. References are always made to Assam and Tripura where the lack of political will, strategy and vision has made irreparable demographic changes that has made the indigenous communities minorities in their own homeland. For instance, in the name of international diplomacy India has made decisions like settling refugees from Bangladesh during the 1971 war and implementing the Indo Nepal treaty. The status of both has not been revisited and what was meant as an interim solution has never been discussed again. If you add to this the fact that the indigenous citizens were not even consulted then you will realize how this has this has become a contentious issue and a problem.
Dr David Syiemlieh: To tribal societies such as those of Meghalaya the issue of influx in the urban and border areas is real and is a matter of great concern and linked with several other pressing issues. However, this is only one of several concerns, others being increasing unemployment; rural stagnation, urban growth and all the problems associated with expectations of better amenities and quality of life. Of late concerns are expressed on the hopes for better governance both in the traditional and modern forms, for these are expected to co-exist;also the pangs of tribal societies adjusting with all the very many political, social, economic etc. influences on their lives.
Dr AK Baruah: The crisis facing Meghalaya is a crisis of governance. . The surrendering of the effective public space only to the unemployed tribal youth and the short sighted xenophobic section by the average public spirited citizen is the main problem now.
Ms T Phanbuh: Safety and security, inflation and rising prices of all essential commodities are the main concerns affecting common people. The added problem of agitations, road blockades etc has further aggravated the situation. Yes, influx is the biggest challenge in our State as there is a rising trends of large numbers of migrants in the city. The immediate step at this juncture is to monitor all illegal immigrants staying in our State.
Samuel Jyrwa: The crisis before the indigenous peoples of the state amongst others is the real and imminent threat of being reduced to a minority in our own land.
ST: Is influx the biggest challenge? If so is ILP the only instrument of choice
Archbishop Jala: It is asked whether ILP is the only solution to our problem(s). There can be practical problems that will arise with implementation of an ILP system as is in vogue in other States of our region. Alternative suggestions like the Tenancy Act have been forwarded but are seen by some as flawed.
Dr MPR Lyngdoh: ILP is not the only option we have, but the intention behind ILP needs to be seriously considered. There is no survey to show who is for or against ILP but given clues of public opinion like the recently conducted public consultation of Meghalaya Govt with students on the Tenancy Bill, it is evident that it has become the greatest need of the hour to enable an immediate discussion with as many citizens, stakeholders on how to address this burning issue. An ideal instrument should take the best portions of every option (even ILP) and have a composite bill that looks into every aspect of illegal migration and protection of indigenous communities. The ideal instrument should also be balanced so that genuine permanent non tribals are protected. It should have provisions like citizen participation, empowerment of traditional institutions, citizen registration, stricter labour policies, prevention of benami transactions, land transfer and other such empowering tools. But capacity building of indigenous work force should also go hand in hand as a long term policy as no Act can totally protect any community in the long run unless the members of the indigenous community themselves are developed into a professional and dependent workforce.
Dr David Syiemlieh: When the matter of the Inner Line was first mooted 150 years ago, it was reasoned by administrators that for the good of the tribal communities in the North East, a legislation be issued which would safeguard their life, culture and numbers. The tribal communities had little opinion in this matter. Today a large section of the communities in Meghalaya are asking for the implementation of the ILP which the Government is yet to give reasoned explanation why it is not able to apply the legislation.
Dr AK Baruah: No, influx is not the major challenge in Meghalaya. Unemployment, poverty and corruption are the challenges. Corruption is eating in to the moral fiber of the traditional and modern tribal elites. Therefore ILP is not a solution to problems,.
Ms T Phanbuh: We don’t know how far ILP can be an effective mechanism to check influx but through sincere efforts of public consultation the government has to take concrete steps to tackle this issue.
Samuel Jyrwa: The Govt at this stage should take cognisance of the genuine demands for the implementation of the ILP which is not only the demand of the social organisations but the demand of the masses.
ST: What are your suggestions for a way forward?
Archbishop Jala: I strongly believe that any way out of the present situation can come about only if there is willingness on the part of all concerned to sit for an open minded dialogue which implies listening to one another and sharing of ideas to arrive at viable solutions to whatever problems are identified in our society.
Dr MPR Lyngdoh: The immediate step is to halt the current stalemate. Pressure groups cannot be expected to provide leadership in this regard. The Government is the guardian and custodian of the people and has been democratically elected to do so. It has to be the Government that reaches out to the agitation groups and brings them to the discussion table. The Government has to play the bigger and mature role and facilitate dialogue akin to a situation where elders/parents are expected to have the maturity and experience to enable a solution through dialogue and democratic settlement. The Government should constitute the strongest and independent entity similar to the RTI Commission which is independent, empowered and is not politically deviant to any party or group. The only difference is that since this is a very sensitive issue which touches the very aspect of the indigenous community’s survival and self determination it has to engage as many stakeholders, groups and citizens as possible. The ideal body should be that of an enveloping entity that is democratically nominated, uniformly represented, constitutionally empowered making it efficient, transparent, result oriented and time bound. Eminent citizens like former bureaucrats with distinguished careers like Mr Phrang Roy, noted social workers, academicians, prominent NGO’s, student groups, religious bodies etc may be part of this body which will have a balance of experience, credibility, knowledge and wisdom.
Dr David Syiemlieh: In this age of political expression, democracy and rule of law, one way forward is to have representatives of those supporting the ILP sit with Government and policy-makers in as many discussions and sittings as are required, each moving ahead till an accepted outcome is arrived at. It may take time during which society should be informed of the progress of the deliberations and decisions.
Dr AK Baruah: Democratic politics has been circumscribed in an unenviable manner. If the conscious sections of the tribal elite decides to correct course and work hard then only fruits of development can reach the large masses. That would create conditions for an end to xenophobia. Please note that tribals cannot do today without the non-tribal skilled labour, professionals like doctors and engineers and even companies. Xenophobia will force them to leave Meghalaya! Assam learned it after 1990s. KMSS reflects that. Meghalaya needs someone like Akhil Gogoi.. Mass mobilization in rural Meghalaya is the way forward.
Ms T Phanbuh: Strengthening the local traditional institution and conducting regular review meetings between the TIs and the government can help. District Councils should re-examine the issuance of trading licenses. There is need to check benami transactions in business and land transfer. The Infiltration Branch of the Govt should be revamped and local citizens should take full responsibility and accountability to ensure that illegal immigrants are not recruited as employees in their respective institutions.