Shillong: Meghalaya Cabinet Minister Paul Lyngdoh has said that the Centre is not opposed to the implementation of the Inner Line Permit (ILP) in the state, but is weighing the administrative and logistical challenges involved.
Speaking to the media, Lyngdoh noted that discussions between the state and the central government are ongoing.
“The Centre’s concern is not with the concept of ILP per se, but with how it can be implemented effectively, given the unique geographical and constitutional dynamics of Meghalaya,” he said.
The demand for ILP has long been a point of contention in the state, with numerous protests led by civil society organisations, student bodies, and citizens pushing for its introduction.
The Meghalaya Legislative Assembly had unanimously passed a resolution in December 2019 seeking the implementation of ILP, but the Centre has yet to grant its approval, more than five years on.
Lyngdoh pointed out that one of the major issues under consideration is Meghalaya’s role as a transit corridor to other northeastern states such as Mizoram, Tripura, and parts of Assam.
“The real challenge lies in balancing the ILP framework with the need to ensure uninterrupted movement of people and goods through the state,” he explained.
Another concern raised by the Centre relates to the powers already vested in the autonomous district councils (ADCs) under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution, which grant them authority to regulate entry into tribal areas.
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The Centre, according to Lyngdoh, is assessing how ILP would interact with these existing legal mechanisms.
Reaffirming the state’s commitment to the ILP demand, Lyngdoh stated, “It’s not the end of the road. We are continuing to engage with the central government, addressing their concerns and demonstrating our preparedness to implement ILP in a practical and effective manner.”
