[dropcap]I[/dropcap]n this fast moving world the over a century old concept and system, the Inner Line Permit (ILP) is definitely never an answer to protect the local population from being annihilated. It is rather an act which nature is crude and rude. Strict enforcement of the ILP anywhere in India can kick up enough ruckuses to further damage the social fabric. Yes, to certain extent the act has its relevancy if it is to deal foreigners. A finer and more decent mechanism should be the option to check the decimation of the local demography.
At the moment, the people in the four valley districts of Manipur and also in Meghalaya are concertedly demanding the implementation of the ILP system in their states. Some lives have lost in Meghalaya in the protest demanding the system. In Manipur, normal chores are affected off and on due to the social unrest over the issue.The Inner Line Permit, the offshoot of the Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulations, 1873 was introduced to protect the Crowns interests in various trades. The Government of India modified it to certain extent in 1950 to protect the weaker and smaller sections of people. However, the nature of dealing or handling of the authorities regarding the ILP is the same as it was in 1873.
In a time such as this when transport and communication systems are fast improving giving further impetus on social contacts, planting hurdles by way of implementing a system or a regulation to lessen the social contacts is a great departure from modern concept of civilization.
However, it is a long felt need to find a way to protect the local people from being overshadowed by the population of outsiders.
The move by Meghalaya Government to formulate a ‘better system’ to check the influx of ‘outsiders’ into the state is a welcome development.
There are altogether 13 organisations speaheading the movement for the implementation of the ILP in Meghalaya. Promiment bodies among them are Khasi Students Union (KSU), FKJGP, HNYF, Garo Students Union (GSU), JSSU, CSWO, KWWADA, ADE and RBYF. The series of agitations were witnessed after the break-down of the August 29, 2013 talk between the Mukul Sangma Government and the NGOs in Shillong. These Meghalaya organisations said the implementation of the ILP ‘which is a strong and effective law’ can prevent influx of ‘outsiders’.
In Manipur, the movement demanding the ILP implementation is going on under the banner of Joint Committee on ILP System (JCILPS).
Let us hope that this prolonging unrest in Manipur and Meghalaya over ILP does not blow out of proportion.
