Amid rising concerns about an impending influx of illegal settlers following eviction drives in Assam, Voice of the People Party (VPP) Member of Parliament Ricky Syngkon has called on Union Home Minister Amit Shah to implement the Inner Line Permit (ILP) system in Meghalaya. This request reflects the longstanding demand of the state’s indigenous communities.
During discussions in New Delhi, Syngkon voiced alarm over increasing demographic pressure and unauthorized settlements in Meghalaya, particularly along its international border with Bangladesh and borders with Assam. He warned, “The unchecked influx of migrants poses a grave threat to the cultural identity, land rights, and socio-economic security of the tribal population of Meghalaya,” stressing the need for immediate action from the central government.
Syngkon pointed out that neighboring states such as Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram, Nagaland, and Manipur already operate under the ILP system, a constitutional mechanism designed to restrict the entry of non-locals and protect indigenous rights. He warned that ongoing eviction efforts in Assam could lead to a spillover of undocumented settlers into Meghalaya, especially in border areas, unless protective measures like the ILP are introduced.
The demand for the ILP is not new; in December 2019, the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly unanimously passed a resolution advocating for its implementation. However, the issue remains unresolved with the Ministry of Home Affairs.
Additionally, Syngkon reiterated his call for the inclusion of the Khasi language in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution, noting that a resolution passed by the Meghalaya Assembly in 2018 has yet to see progress. He argued that constitutional recognition is important to affirm Khasi as a vital facet of Meghalaya’s cultural and historical identity.
The MP also requested preferential employment opportunities for local tribal youth in Group ‘C’ and support staff roles within central institutions located in the state, in line with the provisions of the Fifth and Sixth Schedules of the Constitution.
Furthermore, Syngkon highlighted the need for improved regional connectivity, urging the revival of previously discontinued air routes such as Shillong-Dimapur, Shillong-Agartala, and Shillong-Silchar to ease travel difficulties and enhance integration within the Northeast. He advocated for upgrading the Shillong campus of the Indian Institute of Tourism and Travel Management (IITTM) into a fully-fledged institution, envisioning it as a future hub for tourism and entrepreneurship.
The Ministry of Home Affairs has yet to respond to any of Syngkon’s demands.
Original Source: https://www.indiatodayne.in/meghalaya/story/meghalaya-mp-demands-centre-to-implement-ilp-amid-influx-fears-from-assam-evictions-1250656-2025-07-25?utm_source=rssfeed
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Publish Date: 2025-07-25 21:06:00
