Four groups of Meghalaya on Friday said they will fetch MLAs from their houses if they fail to attend a session of the state Assembly to pass a resolution on Inner Line Permit (ILP).
The Khasi Students’ Union (KSU), Federation of Khasi Jaintia and Garo People (FKJGP), Hynñiewtrep National Youth Front (HNYF) and Ri-Bhoi Youth Federation (RBYF) demanded the government to convene a special session of the Assembly within December 19.
Ready for a challenge? Click here to take our quiz and show off your knowledge!
Also read: Thousands protest in Shillong seeking ILP; tear gas cells fired
The organizations said an official resolution should be passed by the State Assembly to urge the Centre to implement ILP in Meghalaya.
FKJGP president Wellbirth Rani told reporters at a press conference on Friday evening that members of the four organizations would pick up MLAs from their respective residences and force them to sit for an Assembly session and adopt the resolution on ILP.
Ready for a challenge? Click here to take our quiz and show off your knowledge!
Also read: Citizenship Act protest: Amit Shah cancels visit to Meghalaya, Arunachal
The four groups said if the MLAs do not adopt the resolution, members of the groups would also disrupt all government programmes and functions to be attended by the cabinet ministers.
The groups said the passing of the resolution would only help calm down the situation arising out of the passing of the Citizenship Amendment Bill (CAB), 2019.
“If the Centre can give ILP to Manipur, it should also consider extending the same protection to Meghalaya,” KSU president Lambok Starwell Marngar said.
The groups also said the governor should give his assent to the Meghalaya Residents Safety and Security (Amendment) Ordinance, 2019 and there should not be a tussle between the state government and the governor on this matter.
The ordinance seeks to register people from outside who come to Meghalaya.
It may be mentioned that the four groups along with other groups had in 2013 demanded ILP in Meghalaya, but later, they succumbed to the then Congress-led government which rejected the ILP demand.
Instead of ILP, the groups agreed along with the then state government that entry-exit points would be erected in various parts of the state to check influx.