Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma on Thursday renewed the State’s long-pending demand for the implementation of the Inner Line Permit (ILP) and the creation of a robust mechanism to check illegal immigration, while presenting a memorandum to Union Home Minister Amit Shah that also sought inclusion of Khasi and Garo in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution, consultations on proposed amendments to the Sixth Schedule, and a review of certain provisions of the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA).
Placing the issue of illegal immigration at the centre of Meghalaya’s concerns, Sangma said the State had urged the Centre to examine legal and administrative mechanisms that could strengthen the monitoring and regulation of entry into the State.
“We have expressed our concerns regarding illegal immigration into the State. Suggested to the Government that the mechanism like the Inner Line Permit for which we have passed the resolution and the mechanism like the MRSSA could be mechanism, ways and means in which we will be able to check the illegal immigration.”
Reiterating the State’s position, he said, “We suggested that measures such as the Meghalaya Residents Safety and Security Act (MRSSA) and the Inner Line Permit (ILP), for which the State Assembly has passed resolutions, could serve as viable mechanisms to regulate and check illegal immigration. We have urged Government of India to look into both these demands that we have made and create a mechanism so that we are able to check illegal immigration into the state.”
The memorandum also pressed for the inclusion of Khasi and Garo in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution, a demand that Meghalaya has repeatedly raised over the years to secure constitutional recognition for the two indigenous languages.
“Secondly, urged the government of India to consider Inclusion of Khasi and Garo in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution. This is an important demand that we have made for a long time and we passed the resolution in the assembly and once again today we urged The government of India for the inclusion of Khasi and Garo languages in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution to preserve, promote, and recognize the linguistic and cultural identity of our indigenous communities.”
On constitutional safeguards for tribal communities, Sangma sought wider consultations before any amendments are made to the Sixth Schedule, which governs autonomous district councils in several tribal areas of the Northeast.
“Thirdly, Amendment to the Sixth Schedule. We have Requested the Government of India to undertake consultations with all concerned states regarding the proposed amendments to the Sixth Schedule, ensuring that any changes strengthen protections and governance mechanisms for tribal communities across the North East and the country.”
The Chief Minister further conveyed concerns raised by various organisations regarding amendments to the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act and their possible implications.
“Fourthly, Amendments to the FCRA Raised concerns expressed by various organizations regarding certain amendments to the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA), particularly provisions that may impact their functioning and assets.”
The memorandum forms part of Meghalaya’s continuing engagement with the Centre on issues relating to border management, protection of indigenous identity, constitutional safeguards for tribal communities, and the operational concerns of civil society organisations.
