By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, July 30: The Hynniewtrep Youth Council (HYC) has strongly objected to Cabinet Minister Alexander Laloo Hek’s recent claim that the Meghalaya Residents Safety and Security Act (MRSSA), 2016 is sufficient to control the influx of outsiders into the state.
Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, HYC president Roy Kupar Synrem pointed out that the Act lacks any direct provisions aimed at checking influx. “We fail to understand how the MRSSA can regulate the entry of outsiders when it never even mentions the term ‘influx,’” said Synrem, while questioning the Minister’s assertion.
He urged the Cabinet Minister and others promoting the MRSSA as an anti-influx mechanism to thoroughly read the 2016 Act and take note of the Meghalaya High Court’s observations in PIL No. 13 of 2020.
Synrem recalled that the High Court had examined the legality of setting up Facilitation Centres under Sections 17 and 18 of the Act. In its submission to the Court, the State Government, through the Chief Secretary, had clarified that these centres were intended only for tenant verification and for identifying known anti-social elements and wanted criminals.
He further pointed out that a notification issued on December 7, 2021, had transferred the Facilitation Centres located at Umling, Umroi Airport, and Mendipathar Railway Station to the Health Department for use as COVID-19 screening facilities. “After the pandemic subsided, these centres were abandoned and currently serve no purpose,” Synrem stated.
Describing the MRSSA as merely a tenancy regulation applicable to all residents, he said it cannot be considered a mechanism to regulate or control influx.
“The Minister’s claim only misleads the indigenous people, who have long been demanding the implementation of stronger laws such as the Inner Line Permit (ILP),” he asserted.
Calling the MRSSA, 2016 a “toothless” Act, Synrem urged the state government and all MLAs to collectively press the Centre to approve the Assembly’s resolution passed on December 19, 2019, seeking ILP implementation in Meghalaya.
‘ILP only legislation which can safeguard state’
Echoing similar views, the Hynniewtrep Integrated Territorial Organisation (HITO) has also reiterated that the ILP is the only legislation which can safeguard Meghalaya’s unique cultural and historical identity.
HITO president, Donboklang Dkhar said that that the MRSSA, 2016 remains vulnerable to repeal by the High Court or Supreme Court at any time.
Reacting to Hek’s backing the MRSSA, he said that the remark of the Cabinet Minister only reflects a poor understanding of the complex realities facing the Hynniewtrep people.
“We would urge upon the Minister to undertake proper research and consult with all relevant stakeholders before making public pronouncements,” Dkhar said, while stating that misinformation or misleading declarations could open the state to external misuse, ultimately threatening efforts to preserve its cultural heritage.
