Shillong, July 25: The first phase of agitation of the Hynñiewtrep Youths Council (HYC) will begin on Wednesday to pressurize the state government to implement its 14-point of demands including Inner Line Permit (ILP) to check influx into the state.
Activists of the HYC will hold black flag protest on Wednesday by distributing black flags to people and vehicles besides pasting pro-ILP and anti-government posters in strategic locations across the city.
The HYC has announced a series of agitations last week after chief minister Mukul Sangma and his ministers refused to attend a meeting convened by HYC to discuss on the 14-point of demands submitted earlier in February this year.
Alleging the government of having no interest to address the issue related to influx and illegal immigration, the HYC has decided to start implementing ILP by themselves along with the support of traditional institutions and their heads.
The HYC has also rejected the comprehensive mechanism proposed by the 13 groups and the State government which includes the Meghalaya Residents Safety and Security Act, 2016, and the Meghalaya Benami Transaction Prohibition (Amendment) Act, 2016 passed by the State Assembly last year.
The HYC termed these two legislations “toothless laws”.
The HYC also stated that the setting up of entry/exit points, as demanded by the 13 pressure groups will not regulate, but facilitate entry of outsiders and illegal immigrants into the state without causing inconveniences to them.
The HYC’s black flag protest will be followed by a sit-in-demonstration at the parking lot near Additional Secretariat on July 27 and a discussion with all ruling MLAs on July 29.
Meanwhile, the Khun Hynñiewtrep National Awakening Movement (KHNAM) has also extended support to HYC’s agitations demanding the implementation of ILP and other anti-influx mechanisms.
KHNAM general secretary, Batkupar Wahlang said in a statement issued on Tuesday that entry/exit points proposed to be set up as part of the comprehensive mechanism are not strong enough to regulate influx “since the laws passed by the government are without teeth.”
Wahlang also said that his party supported the HYC’s black flag protest and urged different organizations to extend their support and cooperation.