Congress seeks explanation on ‘ILP-like provisions’
By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, Jan 15: Keeping the forthcoming GHADC election in mind, the Opposition Congress on Thursday raised heckles over the proposed “ILP-like” mechanism mooted by the Centre, while Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma stoutly defended move.
Justifying the state government’s proposal to incorporate “ILP-like provisions” into the Immigration and Foreigners Act, 2025, Sangma stated that opposing proposals without understanding their content is incorrect.
He urged political parties, civil society organisations, and stakeholders to engage in constructive dialogue rather than opposing the idea without reviewing its details.
“It would be incorrect for us to jump to any conclusion without actually seeing the content and the entire mechanism,” Sangma stressed.
He emphasised that the core concern driving the proposal is illegal immigration, not the Inner Line Permit (ILP) system itself, the existing Meghalaya Residents’ Safety and Security Act (MRSSA), 2016, or any specific legislation.
The Chief Minister explained that the government is exploring balanced measures under the new central Act that could restrict illegal inflows while incorporating practical, enforceable safeguards. These would require extensive consultations to ensure they align with the interests of the public, civil society, and the Government of India, without bypassing due process.
Sangma refuted claims by Leader of the Opposition Mukul M. Sangma that the MRSSA remains unimplemented, stating that the Act is already enforced in several localities despite challenges. These include infrastructure gaps, investment needs, and a mismatch between the Act and its rules—such as provisions for entry/exit checkpoints that lack explicit backing in the parent legislation.
Rejecting the Chief Minister’s justification, Congress MP Saleng A. Sangma said the people of the state cannot be fooled around with terms such as “ILP-like mechanism” as proposed by the state government to the Centre.
Seeking an explanation of the term “ILP-like mechanism,” Saleng said the state government has not been able to strengthen even the Meghalaya Residents Safety and Security Act, stating that many illegal labourers continue to work in the state.
He cautioned that the situation was turning dangerous as many illegal immigrants were entering the state.
Expressing concern that Meghalaya does not have any mechanism to identify illegal immigrants, he said hundreds of illegal immigrants, caught in mainland India, have admitted that they went through Meghalaya to other states by using railways.
