Meghalaya Health and Family Welfare minister Alexander Laloo Hek on Friday said that he did not see any “restless among the people” on the issue of Inner Line Permit (ILP).
The BJP legislator maintained that he stood by the resolution passed by the state Assembly to implement it in the state. “We have taken a collective decision, and I am not giving my personal opinion on the issue,” Hek told reporters.
Asked whether he and the Meghalaya BJP will follow up the ILP issue with the Centre, Hek said that as a minister or party, he is part of the resolution passed by the state Assembly, and the chief minister is there as the leader to take up the issue.
The state delegation led by Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma met Amit Shah in New Delhi on Thursday night and discussed the resolution on ILP passed by the state Assembly to urge the Centre to implement the ILP system in Meghalaya.
Shah did not give any commitment, but assured to examine the resolution.
Hek clarified that he could not attend the meeting of the state delegation to discuss the ILP issue with Union home minister because he went to Bangalore for another official meeting.
“I was in Delhi since Monday and waited for the appointment to meet the Union home minister. Since we could not get the appointment after two days, I have to leave for Bangalore for an official meeting there,” Hek said.
“I did not see people are restless. But I see mixed response of the people (on ILP),” he said.
On the best mechanism to tackle influx problem other than the ILP, Hek said that strengthening the traditional institution of Dorbar system by empowering the Dorbar Shnong is the best way to tackle influx problem.
He also said the Meghalaya Residents Safety and Security Act (MRSSA) is one of the laws that can empower the traditional institutions.
