SHILLONG, JUN 10: BJP leader and former cabinet minister AL Hek on Wednesday said any decision on implementing the Inner Line Permit or Meghalaya Residents Safety and Security Act in the state must be based on feasibility, with equal weight given to residents and visitors. 

Hek said the debate should move beyond demands to a practical assessment of what can actually work on the ground. 

“Regarding the issue of Inner Line Permit and Meghalaya Residents Safety and Security Act, I request the government of Meghalaya and the people of Meghalaya that whenever we want to introduce ILP or MRSSA in Meghalaya, we first have to see what is doable. Which one we can do and which one we can’t,” he stated. 

According to Hek, the objective should be a mechanism that protects Meghalaya’s interests without harming outsiders who contribute to the state’s economy. 

“The doable part only should be beneficial for all the people, not only for the people of Meghalaya. First, we have to see the interest of the people of the state of Meghalaya and also, we have to see the safety and interest of the people who are coming to the state of Meghalaya, particularly the tourists,” the legislator said. 

Responding to a query, Hek stressed the need for prior study to avoid unintended consequences for the state’s small population and for those entering Meghalaya. 

“The government should see what is doable and will not affect the small population of Meghalaya and the people who are coming to Meghalaya. Therefore, we have to study first before bringing these kinds of projects in the state of Meghalaya. We have to study, but what is important is that it should be doable for the interest of the state and also for the national interest,” Hek said.