By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, Nov 25: Law Minister Lahkmen Rymbui on Tuesday said that the government’s push for an Inner Line Permit (ILP) stems from gaps in the existing mechanisms to check influx and illegal immigration into the state.
“If the present laws are enough, we wouldn’t have asked for ILP. We have seen there are some shortcomings (in the existing laws), that is why we are asking for ILP implementation,” Rymbui told reporters.
Drawing a comparison with global challenges, Rymbui pointed out that even the United States, despite being surrounded by oceans, faces issues of migrants settling there illegally.
He stated that Meghalaya is making every effort to ensure that illegal immigrants do not make the state their home.
“That is why we have so many regulations to prevent (illegal settlement). We have the autonomous district councils (ADCs), we have the Land Transfer Act, we have the Meghalaya Residents Safety and Security Act (MRSSA), and the labour laws, but the only thing needed is their effective implementation, constant vigilance, and cooperation with the civil society and the state machineries,” he said.
Acknowledging that the law is bound to have flaws, Rymbui added, “We have to use all the machinery in place to see that the illegal migrants cannot settle in our beautiful state of Meghalaya.”
He said that the Centre’s silence on the ILP demand made the state government pass the amendment to the MRSSA. “Unfortunately, it was referred to the President, and I cannot comment on that,” he added.
He stressed the need for strict enforcement of all existing provisions.
“Therefore, I am saying we have to use all the rules and regulations in place. We have to implement them effectively so that we can prevent as much as possible the coming of infiltration, whether it is from other parts of the country or outside the country,” the minister said.
