SHILLONG: The Meghalaya Legislative Assembly witnessed heated exchanges during Question Hour on Wednesday over the issue of introducing an Inner Line Permit (ILP)-like mechanism to regulate entry into the state.
The discussion was initiated by the MLA of Sohiong constituency and saw active participation from several members, including Paul Lyngdoh, Leader of Opposition Mukul Sangma, Ardent Miller Basaiawmoit and Adelbert Nongrum.
Replying to the query, Chief Minister Conrad Sangma informed the House that the state government has already taken up the ILP matter with the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India. He acknowledged that illegal immigration remains a major concern and stated that the government has adopted multiple mechanisms and legal frameworks to address the issue.
Responding to a supplementary question regarding eviction drives against illegal settlers in Assam, the Chief Minister said the government had passed a resolution and submitted it to the Centre. He added that whether through the Meghalaya Residents Safety and Security Act (MRSSA) or any other legislation, the core objective remains the protection of land and people.
Sangma further stated that the government is exploring ways to include Meghalaya in the list of protected areas where entry would require permits, noting that such measures could help regulate influx and check illegal immigration.
Leader of Opposition Mukul Sangma questioned whether the government was still actively pursuing the ILP demand with the Centre. In response, the Chief Minister said the government remains committed to finding a suitable mechanism. However, as members pressed for a direct answer, interruptions led to heightened tensions in the House. Sangma maintained that the matter is sensitive and requires a detailed approach, stressing that the priority is to establish an effective system to regulate entry into the state.
He also informed the Assembly that the ILP issue has been repeatedly raised with the Centre but is currently under examination. Simultaneously, the state government is exploring alternative mechanisms to achieve the same objective.
During the debate, Ardent Miller Basaiawmoit questioned the delay in implementing ILP and asked whether the government was playing with public sentiments. He pointed out that influx into Meghalaya also occurs from other parts of the country. The Chief Minister responded by highlighting meetings held with central leaders and questioned the efforts made by other stakeholders, which led to a heated exchange. The Speaker subsequently adjourned the House for 10 minutes to restore order.
After the session resumed, Sangma assured members that the government has not abandoned the ILP pursuit and is actively examining all possible avenues to address illegal immigration. He emphasized that regulating entry into Meghalaya requires collective efforts and cooperation from all stakeholders, not just the government alone.
