SHILLONG: The Voice of People Party (VPP) has launched a blistering attack on the state government’s proposal for an “all-party meeting.” The party has dismissed the government’s talk of “ILP-like mechanisms” as nothing more than a political gimmick designed to mislead the public.
Speaking on behalf of the party, VPP Secretary Batskem Myrboh did not mince words, labelling the government’s invitation to discuss alternative safety measures as a total mockery.
He argued that since the State Assembly has already passed a formal resolution to demand the Inner Line Permit (ILP) from the Central Government, introducing new terminology like “mechanisms” only serves to create confusion and dilute the original demand.
”The party feels there is absolutely no point in attending such a meeting,” Myrboh stated, though he added a caveat that the VPP would still hold internal discussions to reach a final decision should the Chief Minister officially call the gathering.
The VPP demanded the full, pure implementation of the ILP across Meghalaya, nothing less.
On the other side of the aisle, Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma has defended the move, asserting that the all-party meeting is a necessary step to gather diverse perspectives on protecting the indigenous population. The government’s agenda includes not just the ILP, but also the implementation of the Meghalaya Resident Safety and Security Act (MRSSA).
The Chief Minister has called for a united front, urging political leaders to stop the “blame game” and instead stand together to pressure the Central Government to honour the state’s resolution. While the government promises continued persistence with New Delhi, the VPP’s fiery rejection sets the stage for a major political showdown in the capital.
