Ardent demands notification on ILP, resolution against CAA

Ardent disapproves Assam CM’s statement that Muslims and Christians were Hindus

Shillong, Dec 16: Former Nongkrem legislator Ardent Miller Basaiawmoit has asked the Meghalaya Democratic Alliance government to issue a notification to implement the Inner Line Permit (ILP) system instead of seeking the Centre’s approval by passing a resolution in the House.

At the same time, Basaiawmoit also demanded the state government to pass an official resolution not to implement the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019 in the state.

Speaking to reporters here on Monday, the former Hill State People’s Democratic Party (HSPDP) chief said the spontaneous protest by the people of the state is a sign that we can stop the CAA in the state.

He however alleged that the state government’s decision to bring an official resolution to urge the Centre to implement the ILP in Meghalaya is an attempt to fool the people of the state.

“Now all political parties and MLAs say they want ILP. But this has not come from their hearts, it is just because that they are afraid of the united voice of the people,” he said.

Basaiawmoit said the state government does not need to call for a special session but requires to only issue a notification to implement the ILP in the state as per the United Khasi-Jaintia Hills District (Application of Laws) Regulation, 1952.

It may be mentioned here, the Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulation, 1873 is one of the laws listed under the United Khasi-Jaintia Hills District (Application of Laws) Regulation, 1952.

“Saying that there is need to pass a government resolution in order for the Centre to examine the demand is just a delaying tactic to calm the protesters. We should demand that they (government) issue notification. They may say that the notification is only for Khasi Jaintia Hills but recently the government of Nagaland has extended the ILP to Dimapur without the approval of the Centre,” he said.

Urging the people not to be misled on this issue, the former legislator said, “There is no need to seek the approval of the Centre for implementation of ILP but what is needed is only the political will of the state government to issue the notification.”

“Calling of the special session only shows that majority of the political does not want ILP to be implemented in the state and that they only fear that the law and order situation arising out of the protest against CAA may lead to change of guard in the state,” he added.

Basaiawmoit also recalled that the then Congress-led state government had rejected the resolution on ILP moved by him in the state Assembly in 2013 as he also pointed out that most of the political parties that time did not support the resolution and instead demanded for a modified ILP.

“Had all supported the resolution in 2013, we would have got ILP by now,” he said.

On the other hand, the former HSPDP leader demanded that the state government should pass an official resolution that the CAA will not be implemented in the state.

He said Meghalaya does not have any statistics on the number of illegal Bangladeshi settlers in the state keeping in mind that the CAA as of now is only exempted in tribal areas.

According to him, ILP is to prevent illegal entry and settlement of outsiders but the CAA seeks to provide citizenship to illegal Bangladeshis who are already residing in the state.

“Therefore, the state government should come out clear that it will not implement the CAA and to also start detecting and deport all illegal foreigners from the state,” Basaiawmoit said.