SHILLONG: Irked by the Centre’s inaction in granting Inner Line Permit (ILP) to Meghalaya, members of Khasi Students Union (KSU) erected a check gate at Pahammawlein village on National Highway 6, on Saturday.
Throughout the day, KSU members led by President Lambokstar Marngar and General Secretary Donald Thabah, actively stopped vehicles, scrutinising the documents of non-tribals entering the state.
Those without valid documentation were asked to return to their states of origin. This act of civil vigilance, the students’ body said, is to “control what they perceive as unchecked and illegal immigration into Meghalaya”.
Within just a few hours of their operation, the KSU claimed to have intercepted over 100 individuals attempting to enter the state without proper documents.
They also criticised the existing government check gate at Byrnihat, labelling it a “body without brains” due to its inefficacy in curbing illegal immigration.
The union also took the opportunity to inspect the abandoned Umling Facilitation Centre, previously utilised as a Covid-19 checkpoint.
The situation escalated quickly, prompting the arrival of a Ri-Bhoi magistrate and police officers who urged the KSU to dismantle the ILP check gate.
Despite this, Marngar and Thabah defended their actions, citing a history of similar protests when both the central and state governments failed to implement measures such as the Meghalaya Residents Safety and Security Act (MRSSA).
The KSU highlighted that their demand for the ILP is not isolated within the union but reflects the widespread sentiment among the people of Meghalaya.
This demand was cemented when the state’s 60 MLAs unanimously passed a resolution seeking the permit system in 2019.
Union leaders also warned of continued agitation if the Centre does not heed their demands.
Notably, since returning to power in May 2023, Chief Minister Conrad Sangma has been reiterating that the Centre, under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, is “serious” about granting ILP to the state and is “examining” related issues.
Notwithstanding numerous meetings with the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) and party leaders, the promised ILP has not materialised.
