Shillong, July 26: The Hynñiewtrep Youths’ Council (HYC) on Wednesday held black flag protest in the city to pressurize the State government to implement Inner Line Permit to check influx of outsiders and illegal immigrants in the state.

Hundreds of HYC activists put up black flags and banners highlighting the significance of ILP and its power to safeguard the interests of indigenous population.

Despite deployment of security, HYC members also put up black banners and flags infront of the official residence of chief minister, Mukul Sangma at Polo, residence of Assembly Speaker, Abu Taher Mondal and residence of IT minister, Ampareen Lyngdoh at Laitumkhrah, and residence of Health minister, Roshan Warjri at Mawkhar.
The HYC wrote words in black banners which read: “Save Hynñiewtrep Land, implement ILP system in Hynïiewtrep Land”, “We are mentally and physically prepared to demand till we get ILP. We will not retreat.”

At around 1 pm, two HYC activists were apprehended by police and took them to Sadar police station alleging that they have put up banners and black flags at Khyndai Lad area here in violation of the terms and conditions of the permission given by the Deputy Commissioner for holding the protest .
Later after they were detained for few minutes, both of them released unconditionally after half an hour.

HYC vice-president, Donboklang Kharlyngdoh said that police should not provoke HYC members who were holding peaceful protest and put up banners to enlighten the people on ILP.

According to Kharlyngdoh, the black flag day was organized not to mourn the death of some persons, but to express sorrow over the “death of conscience of the chief minister and his ministers, who did not want to discuss our 14-point of demands including the demand to implement ILP.

The HYC will also organize a sit-in demonstration near Additional Secretariat on Thursday.