Work Permit, ILP Issue: Pressure Mounts on Conrad Govt as Ally UDP too Speaks Up

Pressure seems to be mounting on the Conrad Sangma-led Meghalaya government as after NGOs and pressure groups intensified their push for the implementation of the Inner Line Permit (ILP) in the state, the United Democratic Party (UDP), an ally of the National People’s Party (NPP) in the Meghalaya Democratic Alliance, has now joined the chorus demanding measures like ILP to control the illegal influx of labourers into the state.

Efforts made by CM Sangma to pacify the pressure groups have failed so far. If remains to be seen what steps the CM and his government will take next.

Meanwhile, speaking to Northeast Live, UDP Chief Metbah Lyngdoh called for stricter enforcement of existing laws and regulations to address this issue of illegal influx into the state effectively. The issue of illegal influx has been a long-standing concern in the state.

“We cannot allow this kind of illegal influx into the state just in the name of liability. This is very alarming for the state and the people of the state. The government has in place some rules and guidelines to manage the entry and employment of labourers by companies and contractors. Despite that how companies, contractors or dealers are coming from outside the state? The government must ensure that the laid-down guidelines are followed strictly.”

“I feel priority should be given to the local labourers by the companies. But some jobs demand skilled professionals from outside. So companies should look for a balance so that the progress of the projects is not hampered,” Lyngdoh added.

Lyngdoh’s comments come in the wake of recent checks by the Khasi Students’ Union (KSU) on the documents of labourers, which have disrupted infrastructure projects across Meghalaya. Pressure groups had put up check gates and checked documents of people entering the state.

With UDP speaking up on the issue, the pressure on the Meghalaya government to act decisively on the ILP issue has heightened, highlighting the growing demand for more robust immigration control mechanisms in the state.

Besides KSU and the Hynniewtrep A’chik National Movement (HANM), a prominent non-governmental organization, pressure groups such as Federation of Khasi Jaintia and Garo People (FKJGP), Hynniewtrep National Youth Front (HNYF), Ri Bhoi Youth Federation (RBYF), Jaintia Students’ Union (JSU), Garo Students’ Union (GSU), Achik Youth Welfare Organization (AYWO) and Federation for Achik Freedom (FAF) have decided to go ahead with the checking of work permits of migrant labourers in the state who enter the state in search of work without valid documents despite Chief Minister Conrad Sangma urging them to refrain from doing so.

As least 10 FIRs have been filed against such illegal checks, the government said.

The pressure groups have decided to help the state government to implement the Meghalaya Residents Safety and Security Act (MRSSA), 2016 by conducting checks against illegal migrants in the state.

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