Meghalaya NGOs oppose Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), demand ILP

A REPORTER

SHILLONG: A conglomeration of four NGOs (non government organizations) on Thursday staged a demonstration protesting the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and burned effigies of the NDA Government as well as the CAA.

Members of the NGOs carrying flags, placards shouted slogans demanding implementation of Inner Line Permit (ILP) in Meghalaya and condemning the State and Central governments.

The NGOs include the Khasi Students'Union (KSU), Federation of Khasi Jaintia Garo People (FKJGP), Ri-bhoi Youth Front (RBYF) and the Hynniewtrep National Youth Front (HNYF).

Speaking at the protest site, KSU president Lambokstar Marngar said, "The Central government has been fooling the people of the State on the issue of ILP. If required, we will intensify our agitation on this and other issues."

Stating that Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma along with his Ministers are supposed to raise the ILP and other burning issues with the Centre, he posed, "Have they ever visited Delhi keeping these issues in mind?" He added, "If they did, then we want to know as to when we are getting the ILP. Will we get it soon or are we not getting it? What assurance was given to them? The State government must make public about these concerns of the masses," he said. He further said, "Why is the State government deferring the opening of the entry-exit point at Umling village. December 21 has now been set as the next date. If it does not materialize, then we will have to take up the responsibility to open it and also make it operational," he said. Marngar futher said that the MLAs in the government are elected by the people and if they can't fulfill the mandate then the people will have to take things upon themselves to realise their goals.

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