SHILLONG: The 13 pro-ILP pressure groups have decided to propose for the introduction of an ILP regime which would suit the local conditions and also have strong teeth to tackle the problem of influx and flow of illegal immigrants. They would soon submit to the Meghalaya government their charter of demands in this regard.
“We are looking for a mechanism which can tackle the burning issue of influx without affecting the tourism and development of the State,” FKJGP president Jo Marwein told newsmen after a meeting of the pressure groups on Monday.
While asserting that their demand for ILP still stands, Marwein said that they would propose in their charter the introduction of an ILP in the State which is different from the ILP system that is already in force in Mizoram, Aruanchal Pradesh and Nagaland.
The ILP under the provisions of the Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulation 1873 now in force in the three north eastern states restricts entry of any Indian citizen who is not a resident of these states. Citizens from other states need a permit to enter the state.
Echoing the same views, KSU president Daniel Khyriem said that the pro-ILP pressure groups were looking for an ILP which have ‘strong teeth’ as far as protecting the indigenous people of the state was concerned.
Hynniewtrep National Youth Front (HNYF) general secretary, Sadon K Blah said the pressure groups would draft points to be submitted to the government to frame rules for introduction of ILP in the state which suited the local conditions. ) “We would like to leave it to the wisdom of the State government which has enough expertise to frame rules for the implementation of ILP whether within or outside the purview of the Regulation 1873,” Blah said when asked if the pressure groups are now in favour of a ‘modified’ ILP which was not within the purview of the Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulation 1873.
The pressure groups would soon seek an appointment with the state government to submit the points they had drafted on the need to introduce ILP in the state.
On the 52 existing laws related to checking influx that the pressure groups would study, Blah said: “Relevant sections of these existing laws should be also used to support the model of ILP that should be implemented in the state.”