‘Not wise to play with public sentiments’

SHILLONG, July 14: The Khasi Students’ Union (KSU) on Thursday said it is not wise for the state government as well as the 60 legislators in the state to play with the sentiments of the people on the issue of Inner Line Permit (ILP).
The KSU, which is spearheading the ILP movement, also said the state government does not seem to have taken the demand seriously. “It is the state government which can say how it has pushed the matter with the Centre. But it appears that they have taken the matter lightly, not seriously. Time and again, they are saying it is in the hands of the central government. They are just happy to pass the resolution,” KSU president Lambokstar Marngar said.
He added: “This is not wise for the government and the 60 legislators to play with the sentiments of the people. They are duty-bound to answer the public. The 60 MLAs should take up this matter and ensure that ILP is implemented in the state.”
Marngar said the first phase of the KSU’s democratic movement, which is its interaction with all traditional heads across the state, is ongoing.
“We are conducting discussions with Rangbah Shnongs, Syiems, Elaka, Dollois and Nokmas. We will continue to do so in the coming days and find out ways and means to take the movement forward,” the KSU president said.
He said some areas are yet to be covered and once that is done, the KSU will discuss the second phase of the movement.
The state Assembly had unanimously adopted a resolution during a special session on December 19, 2019 to urge the Centre to implement ILP in the state under the Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulation, 1873. The resolution was moved by Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma and supported by all members of the House.
More than two and a half years have elapsed since but the Centre is yet to speak a single word on the demand although several Ministers, MLAs and members of the pressure groups met Union Home Minister, Amit Shah on several occasions.