SHILLONG, July 29: The Khasi Students’ Union on Tuesday said that the National People’s Party-led MDA government should be ashamed that it needs reminders to push for the implementation of the Inner Line Permit (ILP).
“All 60 MLAs adopted a resolution in the Assembly in 2019 to urge the Centre for the implementation of the ILP. Sadly, the Centre continues to remain silent about the ILP demand in Meghalaya after granting it to Manipur without any delay,” KSU president, Lambokstarwell Marngar said.
“It is a shame that this government needs constant reminding,” he said.
On the ongoing eviction drive by the Assam government against illegal settlers, he said that the KSU has remained alert to ensure that the evicted people do not enter Meghalaya.
Marngar said that the KSU members detected many of these people trying to cross over from Assam and pushed them back.
He, however, said it should have been the duty and responsibility of the law-enforcing agencies to keep a close watch on the eviction drive in Assam instead of the members of the pressure groups.
“It looks like over law enforcement agencies are taking things lightly. I want to assure the people that the members of the KSU will continue their eviction drive against the people who want to illegally settle in Meghalaya,” Marngar said.
Reacting to the statement of Excise Minister Kyrmen Shylla that it will not be impossible for people from outside to enter Meghalaya owing to the Land Transfer Act, he said that people are managing to enter Meghalaya by way of marriage and business.
“Which legislation can prevent or deal with the problem of influx or illegal immigration?” the KSU president asked.
He advised Shylla to focus on ensuring that the ILP is implemented in the state, as it is the only mechanism to prevent the illegal entry of people from outside.
“The people will remember the present MLAs if they can fulfil the long-pending demand of ILP from the Centre,” Marngar said.
