Northeast Desk, 14th December: The issue of implementing the Inner Line Permit (ILP) in Meghalaya continues to linger without a clear resolution, as Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma revealed that the state government has not received a definitive response from the central government.
While the ILP system, requiring visitors to obtain a permit for entry into specific regions, is already in place in states like Manipur, Nagaland, Mizoram, and Arunachal Pradesh, its potential introduction in Meghalaya gained momentum after the enactment of the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA).
Speaking on the matter, Chief Minister Conrad Sangma stated, “There has been a huge demand by the people and also by the resolution we (government) passed that there should be an ILP in the state of Meghalaya also, hence we have appealed to the GoI. However, the Centre has not given any clear signal yet, and we are waiting for that and continuously reminding the government of India.”
Additionally, Sangma highlighted the Meghalaya Residents Safety & Security Act (MRSSA) as an alternative to ILP. The Act, passed in the Assembly and sent to the President for approval, faced scrutiny from the central government, which urged the state to re-examine certain sections misaligned with the Constitution of India.
“We are now re-examining and speaking to different stakeholders to sort out the hurdle,” added the Chief Minister.
The ILP is considered a protective measure for the indigenous communities of Meghalaya. The state government’s ongoing efforts reflect the concerns raised by local citizens and political leaders. However, with the central government’s response pending, the state remains in anticipation of the future status of the ILP system within its borders.