UDP flys Rowell’s remark
SHILLONG: The pro-ILP groups have received a shot in the arm when the heads of several villages under Umroi area have extended support to the ongoing agitation demanding introduction of ILP system in the State.
“We have taken a decision to extend our support to pro-ILP groups,” Umroi Umdohbyrthi Rangbah Shnong Pynwanbor Sylliang told newsmen here on Wednesday.
14 villages out of 22 under Umroi area have come forward to support the pro-ILP groups.
While disagreeing with the proposal of the State Government to have a Tenancy Act, Sylliang said instead of the Tenancy Act, Government should come up with a ‘Registration Act’ to check influx of illegal migrants into the State.
“As a small step, we have decided to set up registration offices in different village to verify the credentials of people coming from outside to work in the area especially the migrant labourers. We would direct all people who hail from outside to get themselves registered with the respective village dorbar,” Umroi Umdohbyrthi Rangbah Shnong said.
On the proposed Tenancy Act, he said it would only protect and safeguard the tenants not the indigenous people. “Instead of a tenancy act, government should come out with a registration act. Government should incorporate provisions to ensure that all people coming from outside get themselves registered with the traditional institutions,” he said, adding, “Registration is important as this will deter outsiders from overstaying and it will also help in reducing crimes,” Lyngkhoi stated.
Rowell’s remark: Meanwhile, UDP is not ready to subscribe Deputy Chief Minister Rowell Lyngdoh’s argument that Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulation Act 1873 is a colonial law.
In a statement issued here on Wednesday, UDP working president Paul Lyngdoh said “The Deputy Chief Minister needs to realise that even the Indian Constitution was framed on basis of the India Independence Act, 1935, which was formulated by a British. The argument which he (Lyngdoh) made has no logic”. While ruling out implementation of ILP in the present form, the Deputy Chief Minister had recently said “it (Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulation Act 1873) is a British law dating back to 1800s.”
According to the UDP leader, even the High Level Committee on Influx has also recommended a re-modeled Inner Line Permit (ILP) which would take into account the local conditions, topography, economic activities and balancing all the new initiatives to bring about a piece of legislation.
Meanwhile, UDP State Youth Wing vice presidents Hamlet Dohling has also criticized the argument of the Deputy Chief Minister.
