No talks on ILP, declares Mukul
SHILLONG: Chief Minister Dr Mukul Sangma has ruled out the possibility of holding talks with pro-ILP groups, even as he has made it clear that the ongoing public consultation on Tenancy Bill would continue despite protest.
“Government does not want to discuss ILP and there will be no discussion on the issue in future,” Dr Sangma said here on Tuesday.
While refusing to admit that there has been a stalemate over the issue, the Chief Minister said that the pressure groups were adamant on the issue, “but the public consultation on Tenancy Bill would continue.”
He said Government wanted to take on board all stakeholders and the consultation gives an opportunity to people to give their suggestions on the Bill.
“If some body feels that the Tenancy Bill will not be an effective mechanism to check influx then he or she can suggest an alternative,” Dr Sangma said
While asserting that Government needs to come up with a comprehensive policy to check influx, he said the existing mechanisms like Land Transfer Act and others have been able to protect the interests of indigenous people.
Taking a dig at some political parties for raising ILP issue, the Chief Minister said that some political parties thrive on this kind of issue and create a sense of insecurity among people.
When asked why Government is not inviting the agitating pressure groups for talks, he said that Government invited them for talks but they came with a close mind.
Accusing the pressure groups for violent incidents that had been reported in the city, Dr Sangma said, “They need to be told that this is not the right approach and because of this state is lagging behind and focus of the Government gets dislocated from the developmental activities”.