Saturday, June 28, 2025
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Entry-pass system repugnant to Constitution

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Editor,
Meghalaya Government has recently introduced e-pass system for tourists and outsiders willing to visit the state. From what I have seen in the media reports, it appears that the state has practically slammed the door on people like us who love to visit Shillong on week-ends and other festive times. We visit Shillong because it carries a lot of fond memories of our old connections with the place. Not only was the place part of Assam but also its capital for over 150 years. Many people of Assam have relations and friends in Shillong. Some have retained their houses in the hill station as a getaway from the heat of the plains. Besides, Shillong has been the getaway destination for the Assamese for a long time. Convenient because of close proximity, good roads and salubrious climate, Shillong also provides an easy option for rejuvenation of health. When we visit Shillong, we spend on our stay, food and entertainment, besides doing some shopping as well. Certainly, we add to the money circulation in the state.
Now, suddenly, with one stroke of the pen, all these have gone. We have to per force seek e-pass to revisit the state. According to one published report in a Guwahati daily, Meghalaya has decided not to allow entry to tourists who would not be staying overnight. Every tourist will have to give details of place of stay. I find it  incomprehensible why any tourist cannot go to Shillong in the morning and return by evening? What is the rationale?
Come to think of it, Meghalaya is behaving like a foreign country by introducing a system which seeks to prevent the right of a fellow Indian to enter the state. This is a violation of the Constitution of India which allows every citizen free access to all parts of the country. As a north-easterner myself, I find this extreme protectionism repugnant to my fundamental right as a citizen of this country. Seriously, somebody should challenge this unconstitutional system in the court of law. If Meghalaya government does not take back this “visa system”, we, the harmless tourists, may be compelled to file a PIL in Gauhati High Court challenging this regressive action.
Yours etc.,
Alpana Khound,
Via email.

II

Editor,
The Shillong Times of December 22, last quoted our Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong as having said that the permanent residents, both tribals and non-tribals, need not worry about their exit and entry. The impression he has created is that those who are permanent residents, need not go through the rigmarole of registering and reporting at facilitation centres. As a permanent resident of the place, I was much happy to read the minister’s statement. However, I am a little skeptical about it after hearing the tales from some of my friends. One friend told me that he had gone to Assam on December 23 for a one-night’s stay. He had to pre-register himself online, obtain a computer-generated pass and was required to report to the Umling facilitation centre both ways. He had to produce his EPIC as a proof of his bona fide. Another non-tribal friend while returning from a tour, was detained, questioned endlessly and then “let off”. These reports have created a sense of confusion among the citizens who are normal residents of Meghalaya. One person told me that it is not enough to get clearance from the facilitation centre; they had to also show identity card at Byrnihat in two places. So, what is the prescribed procedure? Is there any deviation at the ground level from what the government at the top had decided?
I therefore urge upon the concerned authorities to be kind enough to issue a clarification detailing the prescribed norms for the residents when they wish to travel out of the state or return home. And also, what about our children who are studying/working outside and wish to be back home?
Yours etc.,
S.K.Deb,
Shillong-4

III

Editor,
The entry pass system recently introduced in Meghalaya has created problems for the indigenous people of the Northeast. In order to tackle foreigners, Meghalaya has decided to deny entry to people like us. We are never going to settle down in Meghalaya. We have our own state Nagaland which has judiciously kept Dimapur out of the purview of ILP. We welcome everybody who wishes to visit us for business or tourism. However, some of us need to visit Meghalaya a few times in a year, because of our children who are students of some private schools in Shillong. My daughter tells me that her school is going to reopen on January 11. The permit system is a dampener for me. I am in a quandary as to whether I should withdraw my child from Shillong and put her in some good school in Guwahati. May I request the political leaders of Meghalaya to keep Shillong out of the new permit system? This will help people like us to travel to Shillong without any restrictions, like others can freely travel to Dimapur.
Yours etc.,
Bendang Ao,
Via email.

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