Meghalaya Government Proposes New Immigration Measures to Tackle Illegal Influx
Discussion on Inner Line Permit Proposal
Shillong, Jan 16: The Meghalaya government has announced plans to engage various stakeholders, including political entities and civil society organizations (CSOs), regarding its proposal to introduce an Inner Line Permit (ILP)-like provision under the new Immigration and Foreigners Act 2025. This initiative aims to tackle the challenges posed by illegal immigration and influx.
Chief Minister Conrad Sangma addressed the media on Thursday, emphasizing the importance of dialogue with all political parties and CSOs concerning this proposal. He stated, “It would be premature to draw conclusions without thoroughly examining the proposal and its implementation framework.”
Sangma encouraged opposition parties to participate in discussions, asserting, “We are not claiming that our proposal is flawless, but we can only ascertain its viability through constructive dialogue.”
The government's objective is to find a balance between imposing restrictions on illegal immigration and addressing public and CSO concerns.
“We aim to clarify our approach and seek consensus before proceeding. Let’s explore whether this could effectively limit illegal immigration and establish necessary checks,” he added.
In response to opposition leader Dr. Mukul Sangma’s assertion that the Meghalaya Residents Safety and Security Act (MRSSA) has not been effectively implemented, the Chief Minister countered that it is indeed being enforced in several areas.
He acknowledged the hurdles in the implementation process, particularly regarding infrastructure and investment needs. Sangma pointed out inconsistencies between the Act and its associated rules, using the example of entry and exit checkpoints. “While the rules state that such checkpoints will be established, the Act itself does not provide for them. Rules must be based on the Act, so if the Act lacks these provisions, the rules cannot mandate the establishment of checkpoints,” he explained.