Shillong, Jan 24: The Confederation of Hynñiewtrep Social Organisations (CoHSO) has asked the MDA government to consider its demand to implement the Inner Line Permit in the state.

The demand was made during a hunger strike staged by members of the Confederation, which comprises of 14 NGOs and supported by the All Garo Hills Joint Action Committee (AGHJAC) in the state capital here on Thursday.

The Confederation questioned the timing in which the BJP-led NDA government has approved the amendment to the Sixth Schedule of the Indian Constitution alleging it to be an attempt to divert the attention of the indigenous people of the region.

“We demand from the Central government to roll back its decision to implement the Citizenship Amendment Bill. We also appeal to all the MPs of the Rajya Sabha to oppose this Bill,” CoHSO chairman and Hynñiewtrep Youth Council (HYC) chief, Robertjune Kharjahrin said.

Kharjahrin said the hunger strike was held to send a strong message to the Centre that the people of Meghalaya refused to become minority in “their homeland.”

“The Bill which seeks to provide citizenship to immigrants from Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh, if implemented will no doubt pose serious threat to the minority population of the state and North East region as a whole,” Kharjahrin said.

Asking the NPP-led MDA government to pass an official resolution in the Assembly, the HYC leader said the Confederation wanted the state government to immediately implement the ILP and the National Register of Citizens in Meghalaya.

“ILP is an instant cure to the CAB to prevent illegal immigrants from entering the state while the NRC will ensure flushing out those who are residing illegally in the state. Therefore, the state government should react by implementing the ILP if the CAB is passed by the Centre. If not, then it is as good as supporting the CAB,” Kharjahrin stated.