By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, Dec 31: The Hynniewtrep Youth Council (HYC) on Wednesday strongly condemned Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong’s recent remarks on incorporating the so-called ILP-like provisions in the Immigration and Foreigners Act, 2025, terming the move a calculated political diversion intended to weaken and delay Meghalaya’s long-standing demand for a full-fledged Inner Line Permit (ILP).
In a press statement issued here, the HYC said the people of Meghalaya could not be misled by vague terminology and legal ambiguities, asserting that “ILP-like” provisions were not equivalent to an ILP.
The Council maintained that if the state government were genuinely committed to protecting indigenous interests, it would have already secured ILP instead of repeatedly floating what it described as half-formed alternatives lacking legal clarity, draft provisions, or a definite timeline.
The organisation stated that any legislation which does not grant Meghalaya absolute authority to regulate the entry, stay, employment, trade and settlement of non-indigenous persons amounted to a betrayal of indigenous security.
It argued that diluted clauses embedded within a central Act would neither curb illegal influx nor prevent what it termed demographic aggression.
Expressing concern over what it called continued attempts to confuse the public, the HYC said such actions reflected a serious lack of political resolve.
It pointed out that while illegal settlements were expanding and land alienation was accelerating, the government was issuing statements instead of delivering concrete outcomes, a trend which, it warned, was eroding public trust.
The Council demanded a clear and unequivocal response from the State Government on whether Meghalaya would be granted a full ILP with the same legal authority as provided under the Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulation, 1873. It asserted that anything short of this would amount to deception.
Making its position explicit, the HYC said it would accept no dilution, no delay and no compromise on the issue, warning that failure to act would compel the Council to intensify statewide democratic resistance, with responsibility resting entirely on the government.
