Meghalaya health minister, A L Hek on Friday said he did not see any restlessness among the people on the issue of Inner Line Permit (ILP).
Hek who is the BJP legislator and part of the Meghalaya Democratic Alliance (MDA) government told reporters on Friday evening that he stood by the resolution passed by the state Assembly.
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“We have taken a collective decision, and I am not giving my personal opinion on the issue,” Hek said when asked for his personal opinion on the merits and demerits of ILP implementation.
Also read: ILP war cry gets louder in Meghalaya
Hek clarified that he could not attend the meeting of the state delegation to discuss the ILP issue with union home minister, Amit Shah in New Delhi on Thursday night because he went to Bangalore for another official meeting.
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“I was in Delhi since Monday and waited for the appointment to meet the Union home minister. Since we could not get the appointment after two days, I had to leave for Bangalore for an official meeting there,” Hek said.
Whether he and the Meghalaya BJP will follow up the ILP issue with the Centre, Hek said as a minister or party, he is part of the resolution passed by the state Assembly, and the chief minister is there as the leader to take up the issue.
The state delegation led by chief minister Conrad K Sangma met Amit Shah in New Delhi on Thursday night and discussed the resolution on ILP passed by the state Assembly to urge the Centre to implement the ILP system in Meghalaya.
Shah did not give any commitment, but assured to examine the resolution.
To a question regarding the demand from various quarters and restless among the people over the delay to implement ILP in Meghalaya, Hek said, “I did not see people are restless. But I see mixed response of the people on ILP.”
On the best mechanism to tackle influx problem other than the ILP, Hek said that strengthening the traditional institution of Dorbar system by empowering the Dorbar Shnong is the best way to tackle influx problem.
He also said the Meghalaya Residents Safety and Security Act (MRSSA) is one of the laws that can empower the traditional institutions.