Shillong: Meghalaya Opposition Leader and former chief minister Mukul Sangma on Saturday criticised the state government for failing to resolve the long-pending Inner Line Permit (ILP) issue and for delaying the implementation of the Meghalaya Residents Safety and Security Act (MRSSA).
Addressing reporters at the State Central Library, the Trinamool Congress leader alleged that the government had deliberately stalled the enforcement of the MRSSA, which he said was meant to regulate unchecked migration and curb illegal coal mining.
He accused the ruling National People’s Party (NPP)-led government of weakening the law by amending it, leading to procedural hurdles that have kept the Act from being implemented effectively.
Sangma claimed that the failure to enforce the MRSSA in its original form was a conscious decision that allowed unregulated influx and land encroachment by outsiders.
He said the legislation, if implemented sincerely, would have strengthened traditional village institutions and provided a legal framework to regulate internal migration within the state.
The Opposition leader also questioned the government’s handling of the ILP demand, describing it as inconsistent and lacking urgency despite repeated assurances.
He argued that both the ILP and MRSSA were essential safeguards to protect the rights, land and identity of indigenous communities in Meghalaya.
Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma, meanwhile, has reiterated the state government’s long-standing demand for extending the ILP regime to Meghalaya.
In a recent meeting with Union Home Minister Amit Shah, the chief minister urged the Centre to expedite the implementation of the British-era permit system, citing concerns over illegal immigration and the need to preserve the state’s demographic balance and cultural identity.
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The chief minister has also linked the ILP demand to broader administrative measures, including stricter monitoring at entry points into the state, improved border management and greater administrative safeguards.
He has repeatedly stressed the importance of legal and constitutional mechanisms to protect Meghalaya’s interests.
The ILP system, which regulates the entry of non-domicile citizens, is currently in force in several northeastern states.
In Meghalaya, the demand for its implementation has persisted for years amid concerns over illegal mining, demographic changes and law and order challenges.
