Shillong: Amid growing fears of an influx of illegal settlers evicted from neighbouring Assam, Voice of the People Party (VPP) MP Ricky Syngkon has renewed the call for the implementation of the Inner Line Permit (ILP) system in Meghalaya, a long-standing demand of the state’s indigenous communities.
In a meeting with Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday, Syngkon raised alarm over increasing unauthorised settlements and encroachments, particularly in sensitive areas along the international border with Bangladesh and the inter-state boundary with Assam.
He stressed that the unchecked movement of migrants posed a serious threat to Meghalaya’s tribal demography, cultural identity, and land rights.
“The ILP system is a vital regulatory mechanism that can protect the socio-economic interests of our indigenous people,” said Syngkon.
He pointed out that other northeastern states—Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram, Manipur, and Nagaland—already benefit from ILP protections and urged the Centre to act swiftly on Meghalaya’s pending request.
The MP’s appeal comes against the backdrop of ongoing eviction drives in Assam targeting illegal settlers, which, he warned, could lead to spillover migration into Meghalaya’s vulnerable regions.
He argued that implementing ILP would fulfil the aspirations of the people and strengthen constitutional safeguards under the Sixth Schedule.
The Meghalaya Legislative Assembly had passed a unanimous resolution in December 2019 seeking ILP implementation, but the proposal remains under consideration by the Union Ministry of Home Affairs.
Apart from the ILP issue, Syngkon also pressed for the constitutional recognition of the Khasi language by including it in the Eighth Schedule, calling it an essential marker of the state’s identity.
He urged the Centre to act on a 2018 Assembly resolution backing the demand.
Syngkon further called for job preference for local tribal youth in Group ‘C’ and other support staff roles within central government establishments in the state, in line with the constitutional provisions of the Fifth and Sixth Schedules.
To boost connectivity and regional integration, the MP requested the revival of non-operational air routes such as Shillong-Dimapur, Shillong-Agartala, and Shillong-Silchar.
He also sought the upgradation of the Shillong Centre of the Indian Institute of Tourism and Travel Management into a full-fledged institute, citing its potential to serve as a hub for tourism education and entrepreneurship in the Northeast.
As of now, no official response has been issued by the Centre regarding any of the demands.
