By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, Dec 15: Former cabinet minister and Adviser to the Social Welfare Department, Paul Lyngdoh, on Monday cautioned against rushing through with the railway projects in Meghalaya without enough safety mechanisms to address the genuine concerns and fears related to increasing immigration.
Reacting to the opposition by the Khasi Students’ Union (KSU) to railway projects in Khasi and Jaintia Hills, Lyngdoh said the issue is long-standing and highly sensitive. “These apprehensions must be adequately addressed and allayed before any final decision is taken on the matter,” he stated.
Commenting on the lack of clarity from the Centre over the demand for implementation of the Inner Line Permit (ILP) in the state, Lyngdoh said the delay is deeply disappointing.
“While it is difficult to speculate on the Centre’s intentions, the fact that such an important resolution has remained unattended is indeed disheartening,” he said.
However, Lyngdoh said that despite the setback on ILP, there remains scope to strengthen the Meghalaya Residents Safety and Security Act (MRSSA). He said the Act can be revisited and empowered with stronger provisions to make it more effective.
“In line with the idea of community policing, a strengthened MRSSA could play a vital role in containing illegal immigration,” he added.
He further stressed that it is important to equip the law with adequate powers so that the state is not caught unprepared and can address the growing threat of illegal immigration more effectively.
On Sunday, the KSU had expressed concern over the lack of clarity on the implementation of ILP in Meghalaya, nearly six years after the Assembly resolution was adopted.
KSU president Lambokstarwell Marngar had said that despite repeated agitations and demands, there was no visible or positive response from the Government of India.
He stated that the union remains uncertain whether the delay is due to a lack of seriousness on the part of the state government or the unwillingness of the Centre, as no clear clarification has been received from either side.
Drawing attention to the MRSSA, which has been in force since 2016, the KSU president alleged that the state government failed to provide clarity on the steps taken to ensure its effective implementation. “Whenever we seek answers, the state government only responds by saying that the matter is under examination by the Government of India,” he lamented.
