SHILLONG, Feb 16: The NPP and the VPP believe that the implementation of inner line permit (ILP) in the state could curb the incidents of attacks and atrocities against non-Khasi population.
Participating in the State Level Political Parties’ debate, organised by the Hills Youth Collective on the theme “Be Informed Be Empowered” and held at the Malki Ground here on Thursday, VPP spokesperson Batskhem Myrboh said earlier tribals and non-tribals shared a cordial relationship.
“But the cordial relation was disrupted because of the feeling of insecurity. The main issue here is ILP. I feel if ILP were given in the 1970s or the 1980s, all these kinds of untoward incidents could have been avoided,” Myrboh said.
To prevent the incidents, there is a need to empower the youth economically, for economic deprivation creates various problems, he said.
“We have so many organisations in our state. This tells us that something is wrong. We need our youth to remain focussed and not form so many organisations,” the VPP spokesperson said.
Echoing similar views, NPP spokesperson Bajop Pyngrope said once ILP is granted, there will be an end to such violence. He recalled the resolution passed in the state Assembly unanimously to urge the Centre for ILP’s implementation.
Pyngrope said people here are not against genuine non-tribals but illegal immigrants from other countries. He believed youth exchange programmes between different communities at the school-level will help protect the non-tribal population of the state.
Referring to a BJP leader’s promise that ILP will be granted and the Khasi and the Garo languages included in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution if the party is voted to power, Pyngrope asked the party not to lure voters with false promises.
The UDP claimed the non-tribals in Meghalaya are well protected when compared to their safety and security in other states of the Northeast.
“We are evolving and things will develop in due course because value education is missing from many schools. It is important that the upcoming generation imbibes values,” UDP leader Allantry F Dkhar said.
Congress’ East Shillong candidate, Manuel Badwar said the first and foremost thing needed is the integration of the society.
“We have to take examples from Assam. Bihu is celebrated by all, irrespective of caste, creed or religion,” he said, adding that the festival has been able to integrate the entire populace.
Meghalaya does not have a festival which everyone celebrates, he said.
“Every religion celebrates its own belief. There is no such thing that integrates us together. It is very important to integrate our society. There should be a state policy and a long-term approach for such integration,” Badwar said.
TMC youth president, Bansharai Pyngrope observed: “Differences occur out of a long history of conflict. The way forward is to ensure that everyone has access to quality. Our party is thinking of setting up a model school in every constituency which will make sure there is quality for all,” he said.
He said education in these schools will make students open-minded and help remove the differences over a period of time.
The moderator of the debate, Sanjoy Hazarika said the tribals of Meghalaya may be a miniscule community compared to rest of India “but you are a majority in Meghalaya and others are a minority.” He insisted on building healthy relations between different communities.
