Shillong, March 06: The NPP-led Meghalaya Democratic Alliance (MDA) government said that it would find short, medium and long term solutions to minimize the problem of influx and illegal immigration.
“Our job as a government will be to find the best solution short, medium and long term to ensure that we can find some kind of solution to minimize this issue,†newly sworn in chief minister Conrad K. Sangma told reporters on Tuesday.
Conrad was reacting to a query that MDA partners like the Hill State People Democratic Party (HSPDP) was demanding implementation of Inner Line Permit (ILP) to check influx and illegal immigration into the state.
“We will review it (demand of ILP) and look into the possibility,†Conrad said while pointing out that influx is an important issue for the government and foresees that it will be one of the major challenges not only for the state but the region as a whole.
According to him, this is because of the multiple reasons apart from economic differences from across the border, which is not in anybody’s hand but the situation.
Apart from economic situation, Conrad pointed out challenges related to influx due to climate change.
“If things get bad in future in view of the rise in sea level, it would lead to more of human migration,” the chief minister said.
Stating that it is a problem at hand which needs a very dynamic and complex solution, the chief minister however said, “I appreciate the concern of individuals that we need to bring ILP but one has to understand will ILP resolve the issue. Ultimately it is not bringing ILP but trying to minimize immigration. If we keep that in mind, people will realise that ILP will not be solution to things.â€