Shillong, Jan 15: The crucial meeting between the Government and the pro-ILP pressure groups held in Shillong to focus on the core issues to find out the best possible mechanism to address the issue of influx.
In the meeting, the thirteen pro Inner Line Permit (ILP) NGOs have agreed to suspend their agitation and decided to examine the fifty two existing laws dealing with the issue of tackling influx into the state.
KSU president Daniel Khyriem told reporters after the meeting, “We have agreed to study and examine the 52 existing laws, of which copies would be provided by the government to the all the groups, before we arrive at a decision on the issue.”
However, the meeting was inconclusive since no proper solution to the issue could be agreed upon till the NGOs studies the existing laws.
Khyriem also said the stand of the pro ILP ngos on the demand for implementation of the Inner Line Permit (ILP) system still stand since today’s meeting is inconclusive.
Khyriem informed, “Since this is the first meeting after a gap of four-months, the different ngos will first hold separate meetings within their respective organizations and a meeting of all the 13 NGOs will follow to take a call on the issue.”
After agitating for over four month the decision of NGOs to suspend the agitation is consider as the break through as the Meghalaya Government looks forward for more condusive atmosphere for further talk.
Federation of Khasi-Jaintia and Garo People (FKJGP) president Joe Marwein said that although the NGOs have decided to examine the law but they are still not withdrawing their demand for the implementation of ILP.
Later Meghalaya Chief Minister Dr. Mukul Sangma said that the discussion aims to address the contentious issue of influx. He said the meeting ended in a conducive environment with a positive note.
The Chief Minister said that NGOs have agreed to study the various laws that are already existed.
Sangma said, “Today’s meeting is to set the ball rolling and ensure that we have a way forward towards addressing the contentious issues relating to influx and illegal immigration into the state.”
Sangma also said the NGOs have agreed to study the various laws that are already existed. He informed that the contention of the government is that it is going to look on how the existing laws can be integrate and also supplement them to arrive at a institutionalize mechanism to tackle the issue of influx and illegal immigration.”
Sangma informed that after concerned departments compiles the laws it will be made available to the ngos.(SP News)
