Shillong: The Hynniewtrep Youth Council (HYC) on Wednesday strongly criticized Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong’s recent comments on introducing “ILP-like” provisions under the Immigration and Foreigners Act, 2025, calling it a deliberate political tactic to delay Meghalaya’s longstanding demand for a full Inner Line Permit (ILP).
In a statement, the HYC argued that vague phrases and unclear legal language cannot replace a genuine ILP, stressing that such proposals fall far short of granting the state full control over entry, residence, employment, trade, and settlement of non-indigenous people.
The Council said that if the government were truly serious about safeguarding indigenous rights, it would have already secured an ILP rather than presenting incomplete alternatives without legal clarity, draft provisions, or a fixed timeline.
Any legislation lacking complete authority for Meghalaya, it stated, would betray the security of indigenous communities.
HYC further contended that partial measures within a central law would neither prevent illegal migration nor stop what it described as demographic threats.
The Council expressed concern that repeated ambiguous statements from the government were creating confusion, reflecting a lack of political will.
Highlighting the growing illegal settlements and increasing land alienation, the HYC warned that promises without concrete action were undermining public trust.
The organization demanded a clear declaration from the state government on whether Meghalaya would receive a full ILP with powers equivalent to those under the Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulation, 1873, stressing that anything less would be unacceptable.
Making its stance clear, the HYC stated it would not tolerate delays, dilution, or compromises on the ILP issue and cautioned that failure to act could lead to intensified statewide democratic protests, with the government fully responsible for the consequences.