Guwahati: The demand for a full-fledged Inner Line Permit (ILP) system in Meghalaya is gaining momentum, with political parties and civil society groups insisting that any watered-down or “ILP-like” alternatives are insufficient.
The Voice of the People Party (VPP) and the Khasi Students’ Union (KSU) have reaffirmed that only a formal ILP can regulate migration, protect indigenous rights, and maintain the state’s demographic balance, even as the government explores protective measures under central laws.
VPP spokesperson Batskhem Myrboh told The Shillong Times, “When we talk about ILP, it is different from all other alternatives being discussed. The people of Meghalaya have been demanding ILP, not something so-called or loosely defined.”
He noted that past alternatives failed to control the movement of people into the state. “I will not speak on behalf of what the government is saying, but from our party’s position, we demand ILP and nothing less,” he added. Myrboh also expressed concern over proposals described as “ILP-like,” saying, “ILP is meant to regulate entry into the state. Any system falling short of this objective would fail to protect the interests of the indigenous population.”
The KSU echoed this view, calling ILP the most effective way to safeguard Meghalaya’s indigenous communities. General secretary Donald Thabah said the government’s proposed amendments in central legislation remain unclear and may not offer protection comparable to an ILP.
He cited examples from Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram, and Manipur, where ILP systems categorize entries for tourists, students, and workers, with defined validity and strict penalties for violations. “For a small indigenous population like Meghalaya, such safeguards are critical,” Thabah said.
Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong said the Union government responded positively to Meghalaya’s ILP-like proposals under the Immigration and Foreigners Act, 2025, following discussions between a state delegation led by Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma and Union Home Minister Amit Shah. Tynsong described the response as encouraging.