Meghalaya Governor to speak with Central govt on the ILP issue, says civil group

Shillong: The Confederation of Meghalaya Social Organisation (CoMSO) informed that the Meghalaya Governor gave his assurance to raise the issue of the Inner Line Permit (ILP) in Meghalaya with the Central Government.

Five leaders from CoMSO met Governor Satya Pal Malik on Friday to discuss two issues: one was seeking his intervention with the Union Home Ministry regarding the implementation of the Inner Line Permit (ILP) in the state and the other was urging him to give his assent to Meghalaya Residents Safety and Security Amendment Act 2019 (MRSSA).

“The Governor told us that he is with us on the ILP issue. He said he would help the state in intervening on this issue with the Union Home Ministry. He has also given us an assurance that he along with the CM of the state together will go and meet the Union Home Minister in the next few days in Delhi to press upon the Central Government that ILP system should be implemented in Meghalaya,” said Secretary of CoMSO, Roy Kupar Synrem.

He said that regarding the MRSSA so far the file is still with the Governor and he is studying the matter.

“Technically the file is still with the Governor because, in March, when he took over former Governor Tathagata Roy, it was passed and sent to him. Since the time he assumed office, he has been studying the matter and assured that if this Bill is for the protection of the people of the state and the safety and security of the residents, he will always give that protection,” informed Synrem.

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When asked if the positive meeting with the Governor means that there will no more be any agitations, Synrem said, “Agitations will go on till we get the ILP. We will be sitting for a meeting. We understand that this may be a political ploy of the state government as well as the central government. We don’t want to be complacent so the agitation programmes will continue.”

According to CoMSO, the Governor is expected to leave for Delhi on December 18 or 19. Synrem added that they also suggested the Governor that the delegation should consist of the 60 Members of Legislative Assembly and not only the MDA government.

Meanwhile, CoMSO staged a sit-in demonstration at Malki Ground, Shillong to oppose the implementation of CAA and demand immediate implementation of ILP. The demonstration was also carried out in different districts of Meghalaya.