By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, Dec 30: The Union government has responded favourably to Meghalaya’s proposal to introduce an Inner Line Permit-style protection for the state by leveraging provisions of the newly enacted Immigration and Foreigners Act, 2025, Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong informed on Tuesday.
Tynsong said the issue was taken up during a recent meeting in New Delhi between Amit Shah and a state delegation led by Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma.
According to him, discussions covered multiple matters, with particular focus on adapting the new central legislation to serve the same purpose as the ILP in Meghalaya.
He said the state had proposed incorporating a provision within the Immigration and Foreigners Act that would mirror the existing ILP framework, effectively allowing Meghalaya to function as a protected or restricted area under the Act.
The response from the Union Home Minister on this suggestion, he indicated, has been encouraging.
As a follow-up, Tynsong said Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan is expected to convene a meeting, likely within the coming week, with Chief Secretary Shakil P. Ahammed and Director General of Police Idashisha Nongrang to work out the detailed modalities for such a declaration under the 2025 Act.
Explaining the proposal further, Tynsong said the intent is to empower the state to mandate permits for outsiders, including Indian citizens and foreign nationals, prior to their entry into Meghalaya.
The system, he noted, would be similar to the one in place in Arunachal Pradesh, with mandatory online registration through facilitation centres at designated entry points.
Tynsong maintained that the new legal framework would be stronger and more effective than the existing ILP mechanism, particularly in addressing illegal immigration, a concern heightened by the ongoing crisis in Bangladesh and Meghalaya’s vulnerability considering it shares a 443-km mostly-porous international border with the neighbouring country.
Asked whether pro-ILP pressure groups would support the proposed safety mechanism, he expressed confidence that the proposal would be accepted, stating that embedding the spirit of the ILP within the Immigration and Foreigners Act would provide a more robust tool to regulate entry and curb illegal immigration.
Tynsong said if the Centre agrees to insert the proposed clause, the Immigration and Foreigners Act itself would effectively serve as an ILP for Meghalaya, eliminating the need for a separate state-specific law.
If approved, the arrangement would give the state clear authority to regulate the entry of both foreigners and Indian citizens, with compulsory registration upon arrival, he concluded.
