Meghalaya Governor Satya Pal Malik will leave Shillong for New Delhi this week and camp there for longer days to take up issues concerning the state including the demand for implementation of Inner Line Permit (ILP).
As the Meghalaya Governor would leave for the national capital, the BJP Parliamentary Party, led by health minister AL Hek along with another legislator, Sanbor Shullai met Malik at the Raj Bhavan and urged him to take up various issues of the state.
The issues, which they wanted to be taken up include Inner Line Permit (ILP, peace talks with Hynñiewtrep National Liberation Council (HNLC), the appointment of qualified locals as Vice-Chancellor of the North-Eastern Hill University (NEHU), and inclusion of Khasi language in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution.
The two BJP legislators also urged the Meghalaya Governor to give his assent to the Meghalaya Residents Safety and Security Amendment Bill, 2020.
“Since the Governor is going to Delhi very soon, and stay there for long, we met him and discussed various important issues concerning the state. The Governor has assured us that he would utilise the time available in Delhi and surely take up the issues with the Centre,” Hek said.
Regarding the HNLC peace talks, Hek said, “The issue of peace talks has been pending for many years, and we urge the Governor to take up it with the Union home minister and we want it (peace talks) to happen.”
“We are appealing to the HNLC to shun violence for peace in the state. We have no condition for talks, but it is an appeal to them to shun violence,” the health minister added.
On the MRSS amendment bill, 2020, Hek said the Meghalaya Governor is studying the provisions of the law.
Shullai said the Governor gave a positive response to the issues and suggested that “we should also meet the central ministers and officials and follow up the issues continuously.”