UDP President and State Planning Board Chairman Metbah Lyngdoh said that the Meghalaya Government is consistently pursuing with the Centre the immediate implementation of the Inner Line Permit (ILP) system in the state, while pointing out that certain areas of concern may be conflicting with central laws.
“So there are few areas of concern perhaps which conflict with the central laws, so that aspect has to be sorted out in case if it is there and whatever that stops the government to go ahead with it I am sure must be some issues or constraints which is part of that exercise that the central government is trying to look into,” Lyngdoh stated.
Speaking to reporters, the former Speaker of Meghalaya Legislative Assembly reminded that the 60-member Meghalaya Legislative Assembly had unanimously passed a resolution in favour of ILP, which was subsequently sent to the Government of India for its approval. He added that the Chief Minister and his cabinet colleagues have been relentlessly following up on the matter.
“The state Government has to pursue the matter again and again and there is no harm for that,” he said.
Amidst the pending ILP implementation, Lyngdoh said the Meghalaya Residents, Safety and Security Act (MRSSA) could serve as a crucial tool to manage the issue of influx.
“Now with regards to MRSSA, I don’t see anything wrong with it. They can always get the same in place to see that whatever process and system that has to be followed as far as influx is concerned I think it is going to help in whatever way,” he added.
The UDP leader’s remarks came shortly after the State Cabinet decided to revisit and strengthen the MRSSA in the aftermath of the gruesome murder of Indore-based tourist Raja Raghuvanshi by his wife in Sohra.
As part of the government’s renewed effort to tighten safety measures, all homestays, resorts, and families hosting tourists have been directed to compulsorily register their guests. In the case of paying guests, accommodation providers must now use the official Tourism app to share guest details with the government. Authorities have made it clear that failure to comply will place legal responsibility squarely on the property owner.
