SHILLONG: The chairman of Confederation of Hynniewtrep Social Organizations (CoHSO), Robert Kharjahrin has stressed on implementation of Inner Line Permit (ILP) in addition to the check points.
Reiterating their stand for ILP, CoHSO’s public rally on Thursday will be held under the theme, ‘No to CAB, Yes to ILP’. He said, “ILP at the moment is do or die. The state government has to implement the ILP.”
He slammed the state government for adopting double-standard – since it has rejected CAB , it does not want to implement ILP and maintains that the attitude of the locals, be it those at the government or the common people has been against ILP.
Referring to former CM Mukul Sangma and current CM Conrad Sangma, he said, “Looking at the present situation, it is our very people who do not want ILP and not only the contractors (alleged to employ non-locals),” he said.
Stressing on the implementation of ILP, he said the 60 MLAs in the state Legislative Assembly should demand ILP and oppose CAB.
Although rooting for ILP, the NGO leader did not downplay the role of check points and check gates, “We did not talk about doing away with entry and exit points. We said that the Meghalaya Residents Safety and Security Act have to be reviewed,” he said.
He added that ILP proviso should be incorporated in Meghalaya Residents Safety and Security Act as he asserted that in addition to the entry and exit points, there has to be another protection in the form of ILP.
Speaking about the role of traditional institutions in the state in tackling the influx of illegal immigrants, Kharjahrin said the “check points” should be at the grassroot level.
“It is the villages/ localities that did not allow non-tribals in the state. The Village Defense Party (VDP) in the village is functioning and they do not expect any salaries in return,” he said.
Referring to the Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) act to sever ties with the BJP for brining the CAB, he contended that Meghalaya government did not have the courage to oppose the Bill and questioned the NPP for working with the BJP despite several protests against the saffron party.
Speaking about the Indo-Nepal treaty, 1950 which was signed when India was under Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, he said, “There is no difference between the Indo-Nepal Treaty and CAB. Let us hope history does not repeat itself.”
Public rally
The CoHSO has appealed for public support for the public rally stating that it stands for the cause of Hynniewtrep people which will face security threat if Bangladeshis are allowed to enter the state and granted citizenship.
Kharjahrin has called upon all Hynniewtrep people that include religious leaders, local representatives, politicians, traditional heads, Chiefs (Syiem) to attend the rally.
“It is a meeting of Hynniewtrep people with one purpose, one message and one voice to say no to Citizenship Amendment Bill,” he said.
He raised an apprehension on influx of Muslim communities as well since the Muslim communities can convert to non-Muslim religion only to enter India.
Making a fervent appeal to the Rajya Sabha MPs, he said the state has to have confidence in MPs from outside the state to highlight the plight of the indigenous communities.
CoHSO has also extended support to the rally called by Khasi Students Union (KSU) on Wednesday.
“Whether it is held on January 30 or 31, it does not matter, the intention is the same,” Kharjahrin said.