Shillong, Apr 12: The Opposition Congress on Thursday staged a walk out of the Meghalaya Assembly in protest against an idea of issuing work permit to Bangladeshi nationals even as chief minister, Conrad Kongkal Sangma said that the idea was being thought by looking at a “big picture” as huge trade with neighboring countries including Bangladesh would happen under the Act East Policy of the Centre.

Congress MLAs walked out of the House as they were not satisfied with the reply of the chief minister to a short duration discussion tabled in Assembly for seeking clarification from the government on an idea of issuing work permit to Bangladeshi nationals.

The discussion was initiated by Congress legislator from East Shillong, Ampareen Lyngdoh which was joined by other Opposition legislators including leader of Opposition, Mukul Sangma.

All Congress legislators present in the House moved out in protest, but lone Khun Hynñiewtrep National Awakening Movement (KHNAM) MLA from North Shillong, Adelbert Nongrum, who also opposed the idea of issuing work permit to foreign nationals did not join them.

The idea was discussed recently in New Delhi between Conrad and Union External Affairs Minister, Sushma Swaraj while discussing about Act East Policy that would boost trade between India and ASEAN countries as well as with Bangladesh and ensure that states in the Northeast get benefits and able to protect the people and their land from illegal immigrants.

The chief minister in his reply said that issuing work permit to Bangladeshi nationals was only an idea being brought forward for discussion.

“I have not proposed or written letters on this, but it is just an idea whether it would help or not in protecting the people and the land,” he said.

Before putting off this idea, Conrad urged Opposition members to discuss and look at all the pros and cons and not to simply look and reject it.

He also said that the state has to get into exercise as other Northeast states have already started drafting their policies under the Act East Policy.

“We need to ensure that mechanisms come into balance between economic development and illegal immigration. If the process is too tight, economic development suffers, and if process is too loose, then illegal immigration will happen,” Conrad said while admitting that illegal immigration is a real challenge since this problem (illegal immigration) is there, even without having trade and commerce.

Conrad informed that a meeting of all chief ministers to discuss on the Act East Policy will be held in New Delhi on May 4.

He requested all members of the Assembly to give their suggestions on how to make the Act East Policy a strong policy that will ensure development and protection to the people.

Referring to trade with neighbouring countries before partition, Conrad said, “Historically before partition, we have the highest per capita income. Imagine if Shillong becomes a hub of the seven nations in terms of trade and commerce. We need to open our minds and look to great opportunities. Everybody is missing the big picture. The point is that we are talking about economic development, trade that will happen under the Act East Policy.”

Conrad said, the Opposition can imagine of a scenario where entrepreneurs from Meghalaya can also export their products through the Chittagong port in Bangladesh.

He also assured that the government would do all it can to protect the interest of the people of the state saying, “We will never compromise our identity, our land and our youth.”

Earlier, Mukul accused the chief minister of cheating and betraying the people of Meghalaya and asked him to stop this idea and “dissuade himself from being in the hands of others.”

“Has this proposal come from the chief minister or somebody else? If not, then it is a betrayal of the people of Meghalaya, the Northeast and the nation as a whole,” Mukul said.

He also said that if the idea of issuing of work permit to Bangladeshi nationals was part of the Centre’s proposal to amend the Citizenship Act that aimed at granting citizenship to Hindus from Bangladesh.

Mukul said that he even saw reports where the Union External Affairs Minister and Minister of State for Home Affairs, Kiren Rijiju appreciated the proposal of the chief minister.

“The proposal may be good for them but not for Meghalaya and the Northeast,” Mukul said, while questioning Conrad if his proposal was part of the National People’s Party (NPP) election manifesto.

Reacting to this, Conrad charged the leader of Opposition of making an immature statement and a kind of election speech in the House.

“Let us be real statesmen and focus on issues that affect us and take things in a positive manner. Let us give ideas that will take the state forward as citizens expect us to be matured and take steps that are going to be in the interest of the people of the state,” he said.

Congress legislator from Umroi, George B. Lyngdoh said that instead of thinking of issuing work permit to foreigners for jobs, the government should have first considered providing employment to the youths of the state who are struggling to gain employment.