ILP under examination
SHILLONG: The Centre has urged the state government to strengthen existing laws in the state framed to safeguard the interests of the people while it is examining the demand for ILP.
Informing this here, Khun Hynniewtrep National Awakening Movement (KHNAM) MLA Adelbert Nongrum, who also accompanied the Chief Minister Conrad Sangma and other members of the MDA delegation to meet Union Home Minister Amit Shah, said, “The meeting with Shah was positive. Shah said that the Centre has not rejected ILP but it is under examination”.
With the issue of ILP still pending, Shah had told the delegation that there are existing laws in the state which need to be strengthened.
Nongrum said, “Shah had pointed out that there are many existing laws and he asked why not strengthen these laws as the matter of ILP is still under examination”
Nongrum said that there are laws of the Autonomous District Councils as well and asserted that it is the duty of the district councils to strengthen these laws.
The North Shillong MLA also said that there are legislations such as Meghalaya Land Transfer Act 1971. However, he is concerned about outside institutions established in the state that are being leased out for several years and said that there should be conditions for setting up of industries as well.
He added that traditional institutions should be empowered and they should be vigilant. In addition, the Dorbar of Khasi-Jaintia clans should ensure that there are no mixed marriages.
Nongrum said, “ILP is a need not a want but it is the need of the hour. We will continue to demand for ILP”.
At the same time, he pressed for unity among the indigenous groups.
He said the matter concerning the removal of other tribes from the ST list in Meghalaya is needed which calls for amendment of Constitution (Schedule Tribe) Order, 1950.
On the other hand, Nongrum also threatened to agitate during the golden jubilee celebration of the state in 2022 if the inter-state border dispute is not resolved.