HNLC joins anti-work permit chorus, blames Congress

SHILLONG: The proscribed Hynniewtrep National Liberation Council (HNLC) has joined the anti-work permit chorus in the absence of a proper mechanism like Inner Line Permit (ILP) to counter influx and blamed the Congress for sheltering Bangladeshis.
In a statement issued to the media on Friday, HNLC publicity secretary Sainkupar Nongtraw asked the NPP-led MDA government to implement effective laws like the Inner Line Permit (ILP) system to check influx of illegal immigrants into the state.
Nongtraw also asked the government to take up the matter with the Centre to end the Indo-Nepal Treaty of Peace and Friendship, 1950, apart from expressing concern over Bangladeshi nationals.
The HNLC maintained that if the Indo-Nepal border continues to remain open for Nepal nationals to enter India without any restrictions, then the North East and Meghalaya will be crowded with people from outside the country and the indigenous population will be overrun by “foreigners”.
“There will not be any difficulty for the MDA government to demand from the Centre the implementation of this law (ILP), especially when the present chief minister Conrad K Sangma is also an MP,” the statement said.
“If Conrad is not able to do anything on this matter, it would only mean that he is just a ‘political clown’ who is entertaining the BJP-led NDA government at the Centre,” it added. Slamming the Congress, Nongtraw alleged that former chief minister Mukul Sangma is the “God of corruption” who is responsible for the poor economic development and the prevailing law and order.
Accusing the Congress of sheltering Bangladeshis for the past 47 years, the outfit’s publicity secretary said, “The walkout staged by the Congress over the issue (of work permit to Bangladeshis) is just political eyewash.”
Referring to the statement made by East Shillong MLA Ampareen Lyngdoh on the floor of the House on whether there are Bangladeshi nationals in Meghalaya, Nongtraw said he would instead ask her whether or not a “Bangladesh Colony” exists in Shillong. The militant group also questioned the Congress saying why the party failed to deport Bangladeshis when it was in power.