Tura, 27th September: The India Youth Congress of Tura, led by its General Secretary, TG Momin came out very strongly behind the CM, Mukul Sangma saying the implementation of ILP would only affect tourism and development and make no headway in tackling influx. The IYC termed the ILP as antiquated and said it has not been implemented since 1958 in any state and would not really do much to counter influx.
The General Secretary of the India Youth Congress, Lok Sabha, T G Momin said, “If you go by history, the ILP, Protected Area Permit and Restricted Area Permit were acts to restrict movement within a certain area, which was strategically important to the nation. Since 1958, ILP has not been implemented in any state other than the ones which were identified since the time of the British. In fact, even that was an extension of the same restrictions that were in place even earlier”.
The IYC maintained that while influx was a huge issue and needed to be addresses, however, the IYC team is of the opinion that the answer needs to be different approach to the process. It had to be through legislation that had the chance to ensure this happens. The ground reality of ILP is that it is going to restrict movement of genuine Indians, which is not what the movement is looking to do.
Momin said, “What is the point of the Inner Line Permit in Garo Hills if the plain belt of West Garo Hills is not taken care of. Can anyone do anything about the influx issue through the plain belt? If the same cannot be controlled that what difference can ILP really make to the region?” Although the ILP has been the talking point, with violence within the Khasi Hills beginning to erupt as people try and pressure the MUA II Government to implement ILP.
However, the IYC said the same is only a tactic to try and oust the Mukul Sangma Government and was not fair for the state. He maintained that the majority of the people of the state were in favour of other control mechanisms. With ILP being a Central subject and not one for the state to decide, it made very little difference what the state thought, the decision would have to be taken from the centre and going by the feelers provided by the Central Congress government, they do not want to open another Pandora’s Box by allowing something that will only create further divisions within the country. And Manipur would not take things very lightly.(SP News)
