SHILLONG, Jan 4: Union Minister of State for Youth Affairs and Sports Kiren Rijiju on Monday cautioned against any untoward incident relating to the demand for the implementation of Inner Line Permit (ILP) as it will damage the region’s image.
He asserted that the Centre understands the needs and concerns of the people from the Northeast.
“The Northeast is a beautiful place and we don’t want any untoward incident to happen as it will damage the region’s image,” Rijiju said on the demand for ILP.
He said no other government has done as much for the Northeast as the Narendra Modi government is doing.
Stating that ILP is a “political decision”, he said, “The Central government is very sensitive to the needs of northeasterners and the protection of their ethnicity and identity. The PM is doing everything possible to protect the region’s indigenous languages, cultures traditions etc.”
He added: “We have to harmonize the entire nation and promote local cultures but peace is a prerequisite everywhere.”
The demand for ILP is growing as the Centre has remained non-committal so far despite the state Assembly unanimously passing a resolution on December 19, 2019 demanding its implementation.
The year 2020 concluded with a series of protests staged by various pressure groups demanding ILP and a resolution to intensify their agitation this year if the Centre delays further to grant it. Various political parties are also demanding it.