EN Desk Meghalaya

Meghalaya : On time completion of Umling facilitation centre

Over the advancement of construction work of the entry point facilitation centre at Umling, leaders of four pressure groups comprising Khasi Students Union (KSU), Federation of Khasi Jaintia and Garo People (FKJGP), Hynniewtrep National Youth Front (HNYF) and Ri Bhoi Youth Federation (RBYF) expressed their satisfaction.

As promised by the Meghalaya Chief Minister, Conrad Sangma, the group members expected functioning of the facilitation centre from December.

FKJGP president, Wellbirth Rani said that the Inner Line Permit (ILP) should be implemented with immediate effect by the state government as it has been pending from long duration, apart from the entry point, which is under the Meghalaya Residents Safety and Security Act, 2016, speaking to media person.

A sit-in demonstration will be held on November 19 by the NGO leaders to pressurize the state government on implementation of ILP in Meghalaya.

Rani asked, “The deputy chief minister along with Cabinet colleagues used to say that whenever they visit Delhi, they never forget to talk about ILP with the central government. We want to know whether the government of India listens and respects their pleas or not?” adding, “Or is the reply from the government of India same like last year, go and enjoy your Christmas first!”

“If the state government does not respect its own promise to complete the entry point within the 60-day timeframe, we will also not respect the government and be forced to go our way,” he added.

The Government of India needs to implement ILP in Meghalaya like in Manipur, said Lambokstarwell Marngar, KSU president. “The Government of India should respect the sentiments and aspirations of the people of Meghalaya,” he said.
“We want to state here that we are still against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and we will not allow its implementation in the state of Meghalaya,” the KSU leader asserted.
“We want ILP not CAA. We do not want our land to become a dumping ground for illegal immigrants from other countries like Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan. We do not want to become a minority in our home land. ILP should be implemented in Meghalaya to protect and safeguard the identity of the indigenous people of the state,” he added.

HNYF general secretary, Sadon Blah and RBYF president, Bipul Thangkhiew also inspected the facilitation centre work along with leaders from the district unit.