SHILLONG: Marwari community residing in Shillong has extended support to the efforts for introduction of Inner Line Permit (ILP) system in Meghalaya and hoped for sustained peace in the state for unhindered flourishing of tourism, trade and commerce.
The community in a Press statement has stated, “We the Marwari Community of Shillong being part of the non-indigenous local inhabitants of Meghalaya oppose the imposition of CAA in Meghalaya and support the Civil Society and the Govt. of Meghalaya in their decision to implement the ILP in the state of Meghalaya.”
“The Community in their meeting held on December 18, 2019 has appealed for long lasting peace and development of our state and its people. The peple of the community have extended support for ILP following public aspiration during the meeting of Civil Society with the Chief Minister of Meghalaya along with other Cabinet Ministers and senior functionaries of the Govt held on 17th December at the State Secretariat.
“Our community has been settled for over 200 years since the early 1800s when the Khasi & Jaintia Chieftains invited our forefathers who were doing business at Guwahati and different parts of Assam, to come to Shillong for trade and commerce. This invitation/facilitation led to an everlasting bond of friendship and association with the local indigenous people which continues till date. Our peace loving community through its efforts created various non-profit organisation/infrastructure for the betterment of indigenous people such as land for Ganeshdas Hospital, Jiban Ram Goenka Hospital, creation of RB Anupchand Hindi High School, Balika Hindi Vidyalaya, B K Bajoria School, among others. The community have created business ventures such as cinema halls, hotels, industries apart from trade and commerce which led to generation of employment and revenue to the exchequer.
“We are happy to have been a part and parcel of the joys and sorrows of the people of the state also to the extent of tacit support and participation during the Hill State Movement, which led to the creation of Meghalaya as a State. As a society we have never demanded any privileges from the State or its people, and have been able to create the backbone of trade and commerce, which has led to the emergence of many successful local entrepreneurs.
“With the coming in of the ILP regime, we fervently appeal to the Civil Society and the Govt. to ensure peace for continuity of Tourism, Trade & Commerce and other activities to further develop the rural and urban economy of the State, which will lead to all round peace and prosperity for mutual co-existence.”