SHILLONG: Robertjune Kharjahrin, the chairman of the Confederation of Hynniewtrep Social Organisations (CoHSO), has laid emphasis on implementation of inner line permit (ILP) in addition to check points.
CoHSO’s public rally on Thursday will be on the theme ‘No to CAB, Yes to ILP’.
“ILP at the moment is ‘do or die’. The state government has to implement the ILP,” Kharjahrin said and criticised the state government for not agreeing to implement ILP.
Referring to Chief Minister Conrad Sangma and his predecessor Mukul Sangma, the CoHSO leader said, “Looking at the present situation, it is our people who do not want ILP.”
Both Mukul and Conrad are against implementing ILP.
While maintaining that the 60 legislators should demand 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 the ILP proviso should be incorporated in the Meghalaya Residents Safety and Security Act.
Speaking on the role of traditional institutions in the state in tackling the influx of illegal immigrants, Kharjahrin said the “check points” should be at the grassroots level.
“It is the villages/localities which did not allow non-tribals in the state. The Village Defense Party is present and they do not expect any salary in return,” he said.
Referring to the Asom Gana Parshad (AGP) move to sever ties with the BJP for brining the CAB, he contended that the state government does 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 to the rally stating that it stands for the cause of Hynniewtrep people.
Kharjahrin invited religious leaders, local representatives, politicians, traditional heads and 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.
Making a fervent appeal to the Rajya Sabha MPs, he said the state needs to have confidence on MPs from outside the state to consider the plight of the indigenous communities.
CoHSO has extended support to the rally called by the 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.