Meghalaya: No assurance on ILP; NGOs term meeting with Shah 'disappointing' 

SHILLONG: 

The pressure groups of Meghalaya have stated that their meeting with the Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Saturday to discuss the long-pending demand for the implementation of Inner Line Permit (ILP) in the state was "disappointing". 

"We are not happy with the meeting on the issue of ILP. He (Shah) did not explain the stand of the Indian government on the issue. No assurance was given by him. It is disappointing and it has let down the morale of the indigenous people of Meghalaya but, we are not losing hope; we will come back stronger," Confederation of Meghalaya Social Organisations (CoMSO) leader Robertjune Kharjahrin said. 

Similarly, the president of the Khasi Students' Union (KSU), Lambokstar Marngar, termed Shah's silence on the issue as a "big insult" to the indigenous people of Meghalaya. 

"Even after one year since the resolution was passed by the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly on ILP, not a word was given on the stand of the Indian government. This shows that he doesn't respect the decision of the 60 members of the House. We will sit and discuss our future course of action," Marngar added. 

Hynniewtrep National Youth Federation (HNYF) leader Sadon Blah said that his visit to Meghalaya was nothing but a leisure trip to Sohra and there was no attempt to take hold serious discussion on important issues concerning the state. 

Former minister and Hill State People Democratic Party (HSPDP) leader Renikton Tongkhar also said that during their discussion, the union home minister did not give any assurance on the ILP. "He just kept listening and smiling when the issue was raised. It is difficult to say anything because he (Shah) did not give any hint on whether the Centre will call for talks on ILP," Tongkhar said. 

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On the demand for inclusion of the Khasi language in the 8th Schedule of the Indian Constitution, the delegation of leaders from the Khasi Authors' Society (KAS) said that they were not satisfied with the outcome of the meeting as no assurances were given by the union home minister. 

President of KAS Prof DRL Nonglait said, "The greater responsibility is of the state government to do the follow-up action. We are not really satisfied since he did not give any assurance but we hope that the home minister will take up our demand more seriously this time." 

Prof Nonglait further mentioned that since languages of small communities like Manipuri and Bodo from Northeast India have got their place in the 8th Schedule, it is high time for the Khasi language to be included also. "We have been waiting for five decades since the bifurcation of Assam. It was the aspiration of people of Khasi and Jaintia," he added. 

Meanwhile, BJP state president Ernest Mawrie said a discussion was held on the party organisation and how to strengthen the party. "We have been directed to finish the formation of all the district, mandal and polling booth committees," he said. 

"We also discussed the inclusion of Khasi language in the 8th Schedule and amendment to the 6th schedule. We also touched on ILP and interstate boundary disputes. Regarding ILP, it is now up to the (centre) government - they have to study it carefully to come up with a permanent solution," Mawrie said. 

Shah is on a two-day visit to Meghalaya to inaugurate several infrastructural projects and hold talks with the chief ministers of all the northeastern states and the Meghalaya-based NGOs and social organisations on several issues. 

On Sunday (July 25), Shah will head to Sohra (Cherrapunjee) to inaugurate several infrastructural projects.

(Edited by Ibankyntiew Mawrie)

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