Meghalaya: PDF firm on ILP demand, says Centre would have to fulfil people's aspirations

SHILLONG:

The People’s Democratic Front (PDF), a major ally in the NPP-led Meghalaya Democratic Alliance (MDA) ruling coalition, has reiterated its stand on the Inner Line Permit (ILP) stating that the Centre would have to fulfil the aspirations of the people of the state.

“As of now, the Centre is yet to come out clearly on the demand to implement ILP in the State. We cannot say if the Centre is in favour (of) or against implementing ILP. But as a party, we have always accorded top priority to ILP,” PDF senior leader, Hamletson Dohling said on Friday.

According to Dohling, ILP is the only mechanism to check influx of illegal migrants into Meghalaya.

He said that Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma had just met Union Home Minister, Amit Shah on Wednesday last. “But I have not been able to speak to the Chief Minister if he had raised the issue on ILP before the Union Home Minister,” Dohling said.

Also Read: Meghalaya NGOs hold protest across the state demanding ILP

“As the party, we will urge upon the Chief Minister on the need to aggressively follow up this issue with the Centre,” he added.

Meanwhile, the PDF leader also welcomed the move of the NGOs to resume their agitation for demanding the implementation of ILP under the Eastern Bengal Frontier Regulation Act, 1873.

Replying to a question on the suggestions of the NGOs that all the 60 MLAs should go to Delhi and stage a dharna if the Centre is reluctant to implement in the State, Dohling said that if the situation demands, they are ready to take such drastic steps.

(Edited by Ladiangti Rani)

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