Inner Line Permit Will Harm Meghalaya, Says Governor Satya Pal Malik

SHILLONG: Meghalaya Governor, Satya Pal Malik has stated that the implementation of Inner-Line Permit (ILP) would be detrimental for the state, however he stated he has no objection to the travel document that seeks to protect the indigenous communities.

"I have not understood how ILP will help the people of Meghalaya. You will have no investment, no tourism. It will be harmful as per my assessment," the Governor said on Thursday while making it clear it is the Centre's prerogative to take a call on the matter.

The Governor pointed out that all dhabas and several shops along the Shillong-Sohra and Shillong-Guwahati road are closed as a result of which poor people are suffering, and it seemed to him that tourists would refrain from visiting Meghalaya after the implementation of ILP in the state. He, however, stated he has no issue with the ILP if it is necessary to protect the locals.

According to the Governor, the ILP implementation would be unnecessary if the Meghalaya Residents Safety and Security Act (MRSSA) is put into action. "Had I been the Chief Minister, I would have pleaded with the Centre for MRSSA before thinking about ILP," he said.

The Governor stated that MRSAA cannot be implemented without the Centre's support, which needs to be prompted for its implementation. The state government has to discuss the MRSSA, which is currently with the Centre for its assessment, before the Governor can give his approval to it.

He mentioned that he has already given his assent to the Labourers Registration Bill without any hesitation, Governor Malik held that there is no imminent threat to the indigenous population of Meghalaya but MRSSA can be passed.

The Governor had earlier said people can always ask the government to fulfil their demands through dialogues. "I have appealed to the boys here not to threaten every third day… You will reach nowhere through violence and threatening," he said, reminding that 50,000 people died in Kashmir and they are in the same position today as they were 60-70 years ago

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