With growing concerns over possible influx of illegal settlers evicted from Assam, an MP from Meghalaya on Friday urged the Union home ministry to implement the Inner Line Permit (ILP) system in the state, a long-pending demand that has been consistently voiced by the people over the years.
During a meeting with Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Voice of the People Party MP Ricky Syngkon expressed deep concern over the demographic pressures facing the state, citing increasing incidents of unauthorised settlements and encroachments, particularly in sensitive border and fringe areas, including along the international boundary with Bangladesh and those along the interstate boundary with Assam.
“The unchecked influx of migrants poses a grave threat to the cultural identity, land rights, and socio-economic security of the tribal population of Meghalaya,” Syngkon stated, while calling for urgent intervention from the Centre.