Shillong Dec 19: A resolution to urge the Centre to implement the Inner Line Permit in the state under the Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulations, 1873 to safeguard the interest of the citizens of the state was passed by the State Assembly.

The resolution was unanimously passed by members of the House through a voice vote during the Assembly’s special session held on Thursday.

Chief Minister, Conrad K Sangma tabled the resolution. The Speaker also conveyed his support to the resolution and members from both sides of the House.

“The house has spoken in one voice on this very important government resolution, and we stand united and committed to serve for the welfare and interest of the people of our state,” the Speaker said.

Through this resolution, the Meghalaya government will urge the Centre to make necessary amendment to the said regulation for inclusion of the ‘state of Meghalaya’ in the preamble of the Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulation, 1873.

“Although the Citizenship Amendment Act, 2019 has provided that it shall not apply to tribal area of Assam, Meghalaya, Mizoram or Tripura as include in the Sixth Schedule to the Constitution, this provision will not be adequate to protect and safeguard the interests of the tribal population of the state,” the government resolution said.

In his reply to the long discussion on the government resolution, the chief minister said that the resolution on ILP passed by the Assembly will not go to Parliament, but the President may simply insert the word Meghalaya in the preamble of the regulation and issue a notification.

“As we speak in one voice and as we go together, it is not just the 60 legislators but 33 lakh people of Meghalaya. When we go to Delhi and say we want ILP to be implemented, I am sure we will get a positive response and we will continue to work with the government of India and with the people of the state to make this happen,” Conrad said.

The chief minister assured that the government would also ensure that all other provisions including Meghalaya Residents Safety and Security Act (MRSSA), 2016 would be implemented, and the ILP movement will continue.

“This is a beginning and this resolution should have been taken long time back. May be the condition was quite clear for us to have implemented ILP without a resolution being moved but we missed this chance. I am not here to blame anybody but now we are in this position, we need to move forward,” the chief minister added.

Leader of Opposition, Mukul Sangma while supporting the resolution however stressed that the Meghalaya Residents Safety and Security Act (MRSSA), 2016 should be aggressively implemented.

“We collectively say yes (to the resolution), but it is not enough. We have to work out more mechanisms in future and not to be complacent,” Mukul said.

The Leader of Opposition also pointed out that entry-exit points mandated to be created under the MRSSA have not been created till date.

He slammed the present MDA government for not serious in implementing the act especially the setting up of district task forces and alleged that the government was busy in shifting of officers including labour inspectors in the blocks.

Other legislators while supporting the resolution reiterated the need to implement the MRSSA effectively.