SHILLONG: Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong on Tuesday said the state government is exploring the possibility of integrating Inner Line Permit (ILP)-like provisions into the newly enacted Immigration and Foreigners Act, 2025.
Speaking to the media, Tynsong said the government is pursuing a dual legal strategy, leveraging both Central and State legislation to safeguard Meghalaya’s demographic and security interests.
The Deputy Chief Minister said Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma is personally overseeing a detailed examination of the Immigration and Foreigners Act, 2025, which was recently passed by Parliament.
The objective, he said, is to assess whether ILP provisions can be legally incorporated within the framework of the new Central law.
To this end, the state’s Advocate General and a team of legal experts have been tasked with closely analysing the Act to identify legal avenues that could allow Meghalaya to secure ILP-like protections.
“Our objective is clear. We want to examine whether the provisions of the ILP can be effectively incorporated within this new law to provide the protection that the people of Meghalaya are demanding,” Tynsong said.
Responding to speculation that the Meghalaya Residents Safety and Security Act (MRSSA) has been sidelined, Tynsong categorically denied the claim, asserting that the law is very much in force.
He said District Task Forces, headed by Deputy Commissioners, have been activated across the state, adding that the Act is already being strictly implemented in Shillong.
Tynsong also explained the delay in establishing permanent Entry and Exit points along state borders, attributing it to legal constraints.
He said the original MRSSA lacked adequate provisions to allow the construction of permanent checkpoints. Although the State Assembly passed an amendment to address this gap, the Bill was forwarded by the Governor to the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) for approval.
Until clearance is received from the MHA or the Governor, Tynsong said, the state does not have the legal authority to establish permanent structures at the borders.
The Deputy Chief Minister said the government is not remaining passive and is simultaneously pursuing the MRSSA amendments while exploring legal options under the Immigration and Foreigners Act, 2025.
The move, he said, reflects the government’s commitment to adopting all constitutionally permissible measures to strengthen border management and protect Meghalaya’s interests.
