Shillong Feb 7: The Meghalaya government has assured to amend the Meghalaya Residents Safety and Security Act, 2016 in order to incorporate certain provisions of the Inner Line Permit (ILP).

The amendment is likely to take place in the upcoming budget session of the State Assembly in March.

This was informed by the Deputy Chief Minister, Prestone Tynsong to a delegation of the Confederation of Hynñiewtrep Social Organizations (CoHSO) during a meeting with him here on Thursday.

CoHSO demanded implementation of the ILP to curb influx problem as well as implement the National Register of Citizens to flush out those who reside in the state illegally.

CoHSO Chairman and HYC president, Robertjune Kharjahrin told reporters that the Deputy Chief Minister has assured that the state government was ready to amend the MRSSA, 2016 to further strengthen it.

Kharjahrin said that the Hynñiewtrep Youth Council (HYC) had earlier submitted its views and suggestions to the state government for consideration and to incorporate the provisions of ILP in the Act which include the legal provision which bars any Indian or foreigner to enter the state without valid permission, to penalize any person who enters or stays in the state without permission, permission should have a validity period of 179 days and to bar non-indigenous people to have land rights in the state.

“This is the ILP that we want the government to implement in letter and spirit to protect the indigenous population of the state and these provisions can be incorporated in the MRSSA, 2016 as well,” he said.

The CoHSO also asked the state government to delete other tribes from the Schedule Tribe (ST) Order, 1950 to prevent people from other parts of the North East to buy and own land in the state and immediate implementation of the National Register of Citizens with 1971 as the cut off year.