SHILLONG, Dec 14: As pressure groups spearhead the movement demanding implementation of ILP in Meghalaya, NPP Spokesperson Phasmon Dkhar has asserted that matters pertaining to the Meghalaya Residence Safety and Security Act (MRSSA) and Inner Line Permit (ILP) are progressing.
The NPP Spokesperson also declared that protection of the indigenous population is paramount to the MDA Government.
“We are duty-bound to stay accountable to our people. We reassure that the issues of the Meghalaya Residence Safety and Security Act and ILP are progressing,” Dkhar, who is also a JHADC MDC, said at the 7th general annual meet of Jaintia Students Movement in Jaintia Hills on Monday.
He maintained that the Governor and Chief Minister are in constant touch over the matter.
Elucidating the MDA Government’s stand, the MDC said that the voice of different quarters of citizenry are taken into account before a final decision is taken on all matters, even MRSSA and ILP.
The government has considered the aspirations of the people and their protection to be of prime importance, he said. “It is also true that COVID-19 is derailing all these efforts. At such a time of crisis, it is important to exercise maturity and play a constructive role,” Dkhar said, while adding that the government also needs to consider the economy aspect as life has only just begun limping back to normality.
In an inspiring tone, the MDC reminded that the Pnar people are known to be enterprising. He said, “The Pnar people have a reputation of being enterprising, and with that comes our culture of caring for the underserved, children, farmers, and others who live from hand to mouth every day”.
“The need of the day is, therefore, to trust our collective wisdom, and exercise patience,” he added.
On the MRSSA, the MDC said that the Act, in its original form, did not have enough teeth but its tweaked version will put under its purview everybody visiting Meghalaya.
He, however, allayed fears stating that permanent residents of the state have nothing to worry about since the Act will be applicable only to those visiting the state, be it as tourists, labourers, students or for business matters.
“But the ball is in Centre’s court. Nonetheless, the MDA Government will do its best to pursue a favourable verdict,” he said.
Only recently, a statewide agitation to be held on December 19 to demand ILP implementation and protests against CAA was announced by CoMSO.