Staff Reporter

Shillong, July 17: The Khasi Students’ Union (KSU) chief Lambokstarwell Marngar today claimed that the delay in establishing entry-exit points as mandated by the Meghalaya Residents Safety and Security Act (MRSSA), 2016, is due to “political games.”

“There is a political game among the political masters. Due to their political interest, they are playing with the issues concerning the people and the state,” Marngar stated to reporters during a meeting commemorating the 189th death anniversary of the legendary Khasi freedom fighter U Tirot Sing Syiem in Shillong.

Marngar revealed that the government had identified 18 locations for setting up entry-exit points in 2015-16, with more than 21-23 locations identified in Garo Hills. He mentioned that three years ago, the government expressed concerns about the financial implications of constructing building infrastructures for the entry-exit points, suggesting the costs could run into crores of rupees.

KSU had proposed using prefab structures instead, a suggestion the government accepted, setting up a pilot project at Umling. However, the entry point at Umling was abandoned after the COVID-19 pandemic.

Demanding immediate action, Marngar called for the state government to establish the entry-exit points as mandated by the MRSSA. He also urged the state government to clarify the Centre’s stance on the inner line permit (ILP) demand, the inclusion of the Khasi language in the Eighth Schedule of the Indian Constitution, and other related issues.

“The state government, which has from time to time taken up the issue with Centre, should clarify to the people of the state on the reason why the Centre is not willing to implement ILP in Meghalaya,” Marngar said. He questioned why ILP could be implemented in three to four other states in the North East but not in Meghalaya, emphasizing the feasibility of managing the movement of people through technology.

Marngar expressed concern over the state government's political will to push for ILP, suggesting that the ILP resolution passed in 2019 might have been a measure to calm public agitation rather than a genuine effort.

The KSU chief also demanded clarity on the Centre's observations regarding the Meghalaya Residents Safety and Security (Amendment) Bill, 2020, which was recently returned to the state.

“We are yet to be clear on this issue. Therefore, we demand the state government to give a clear-cut decision on MRSSA.”

Marngar emphasized that KSU will continue to protect the interests of the indigenous community, regardless of the Centre's timeline for examining the ILP resolution. He also addressed the recent dismantling of an ILP checkgate erected by KSU, stating, “It is okay if they dismantle our ILP checkgate but our checking drive will continue. We are talking to all youth at the village level; they will be our checkgate.”