Meghalaya govt invites ILP groups for talks

Agencies SHILLONG, DECEMBER 23 [dropcap]C[/dropcap]hief Minister Mukul Sangma announced that the talks would be held on January 15 and the formal intimation would be made to the concerned leaders of the pro-ILP groups by January first week.“We will invite the pro-ILP groups to come forward for discussion with the state government on the core issue of influx and illegal immigration,” Sangma told reporters at a hurriedly convened conference with media persons in Shillong. He said that in the meeting, both the government and pro-ILP groups would explore the possibility of garnering suggestions and recommendations and ultimately come up with a mechanism to achieve the objective of dealing with influx as the problem. The Chief Minister however, urged the agitating groups to come with ‘an open mind for a dialogue’ stating that ‘dialogue cannot take place if one comes with a closed mind. It will be a monologue instead’. On being asked whether the proposed Tenancy Act would be kept aside, Mukul Sangma said, “If this (Tenancy Act) is not the solution, then we would like to know the other mechanisms that can effectively deal with influx.” He also made it clear about the non-implementable of the ILP, a result of the 140 year-old Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulation Act 1873 due to its various drawbacks that could impede with development of the state. Since September 2 several top leaders of 13 pressure groups demanding the implementation of the ILP in Meghalaya have been in hiding. With official announcement of the chief minister, they are free to come home and be with their loved ones during the festive season. “I know everybody has to wish each other a Merry Christmas and be part of the celebration where we try to actually foster the spirit of love and compassion,” the Chief Minister said.