Shillong, Oct 04: The Meghalaya Assembly witnessed a pandemonium on Friday after Opposition leaders jumped into the well of the House demanding a discussion on the Inner Line Permit and the law and order situation in the state.
The first day of the autumn session of the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly begun on a noisy note on Friday with Speaker Abu Taher Mondal disallowing admission of an adjournment motion sought by the Opposition to discuss implementation of inner line permit (ILP) system in the state to check illegal immigration and influx. The speaker received the adjournment motion yesterday which sought to discuss the fallout of the ongoing agitation by groups demanding ILP regime and subsequent deterioration in law and order and derailment of normal life.
The Opposition members then pleaded that the issue be discussed because of the law and order problem following a stand-off between the state government and pro-ILP activists.
Pointing out that he has already admitted a starred question and a resolution on the issue, which is slated to be taken up on Tuesday next, Speaker Mondal promised the Opposition that ample opportunity would be provided to discuss the “burning issue”. He also said that a separate resolution by Clifford Marak of the Garo National Council to discuss creation of a Garo state is also scheduled to be taken up the same day.
Government Chief Whip Ronnie.V Lyngdoh supported the Speaker’s ruling and said, “We are held ransom (by pro-ILP activists) outside, and now we are held ransom inside the House.”
Opposition members then rushed to the well shouting and thumped the Speaker’s table while some attempted to climb the podium, leading to adjournment of the proceedings for about half an hour till 11:45am.
When the House re-assembled, opposition Hill State People’s Democratic Party leader Ardent Basaiawmoit offered not to table a resolution on implementation of ILP, but demanded a discussion immediately.
The Opposition members started shouting slogans as the Speaker went ahead and asked ministers to lay notifications as listed.
Chief Minister Mukul Sangma requested Opposition members to be patient and respect the decision of the chair, but the slogan-shouting continued.
Interestingly, at last during obituary reference as the chief Minister was reading the obituary and the august house was praying for the eternal rest of the departed souls, the entire opposition made a wake out.(SP News)
