SHILLLONG: In the wake of recent assault of one of its member in Ichamati, the Khasi Students Union (KSU) on Tuesday stated that Inner Liner Permit (ILP) must be introduced immediately for the situation to improve.
On being asked about where lies the solution to the unrest that has gripped parts of the state for the last four days, KSU president, Lambok Marnagar said, “The state and the Central governments must to immediately implement ILP in Meghalaya otherwise the situation may turn worse.”
Stating that ILP demand is not just the demand of the pressure groups but of the people of Meghalaya, Marngnar said that if the Central government is serious about protecting the rights of the indigenous people, this is the right time to implement ILP.
Answering to the appeal of the Chief Minister Conrad Sangma requesting organisations not to indulge in acts of violence, the KSU president maintained that KSU had organised such public meeting across Khasi, Jaintia Hills since December and there was not a single incident of violence.
” We are not violent. The meeting that we organised in Ichamati was also organised in a peaceful manner. Who started the violence? We are not the ones,” he added.
Pointing out that the attack on the KSU now has bearing in Garo Hills where the NGOs have also started agitational programmes in reaction to the incident at Ichamati, Marngnar said, “Who will take the responsibility. I leave it to the wisdom of the government and the police department”.
Reacting to the new statement of KSU, Chief Minister Conrad Sangma said that the process was on and the state government had also passed a resolution in a special session of the Assembly for implementation of the ILP, which has been sent to the Government of India and they are examining the matter and these are areas that need discussion.
He once again made an appeal to all the organisations to keep calm as examinations are also going on and ensure peace.
Echoiing similar views on the statement of KSU, Home Minister Lahkmen Rymbui asserted that the state government too demands for implementation of the ILP and they were pursuing the matter with the Centre.
