SHILLONG: The Khasi Authors Society, which effectively campaigned for the inclusion of Khasi language in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution, has asked Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Chief Minister Conrad Sangma to implement the Inner Line Permit (ILP) in Meghalaya to prevent the application of the amended Citizenship Act, 2019.
In a letter to the two ministers, the president of the society, DRL Nonglait said the KAS has closely watched over the prevailing law and order situation in the state, as a result of people’s reaction against the contentious Citizenship (Amendment) Bill which has now become an act.
“After a great deal of thought, we are of the view that the best mechanism to bring the issue to a logical end is by implementing the ILP,” the society said.
The KAS has also resolved to support the demand of the Meghalaya NGOs in appealing to the state government and the Centre to initiate steps for implementation of ILP in Meghalaya to exempt the state from the purview of the act.
“If the Inner Line Permit is being implemented in Manipur to make its people celebrate, why not the same yardstick be used for Meghalaya,” the society questioned.
The executive meeting of the society was held on Tuesday in which the members deliberated on the present imbroglio.
Despite the justification and arguments put forward by the central leadership in favour of the act, the indigenous communities of the state, like the Khasi and Garo organisations, feel that it will bring about a demographic change and their genuine rights as the original citizens of the state will be in great danger, the society said.
“Now, if the then British areas in Shillong and Tura, which were located at the heart of these two important cities of the state, are not exempted from the purview of the amended Act, the process of pushing the indigenous communities to the borders will continue even in independent India. The concern of our people is not so much about religion but about their land which is very dear to them. It is about space, economy, culture and their very existence. Hence, if their concern cannot be addressed, one might foresee the long years of turmoil and unrest ahead,” the society said.
