chaired by the Deputy Chief Minister Bindo M.Lanong,had decided to recommend to the state government, both the inner line permit and the three-tier card system, as mooted out during the deliberations of the committee. The ILP is based on the Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulation of 1873, which is presently applicable in Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland and Mizoram. The Manipur legislative assembly on July 13 2012 had adopted a resolution, urging upon the union government to extend application of the 1873 regulation in the state. The regulation however does not apply to the Garo Hills region of Meghalaya, which was withdrawn in 1897. The ILP has therefore legal and constitutional implications for inclusion of Garo Hills region under its purview, if it is to be applicable to the whole state of Meghalaya.

This opinion has been voiced through various social, non-governmental organisations, student bodies and others who are represented in the High Level Committee, which is presently taking up the matter.

The three card identity system which was mooted out in the meeting of the Higher Level Committee comprise three categories of card holders- that is permanent, semi-permanent and temporary identity card system. As this system is a new idea altogether, the details of such a system have to be chalked out in the first place, concerning its effectiveness or otherwise.

How much this system be really effective or practicable to address the issue of influx, specially under ground realities conditions is to be seen. The implementation agencies are to be identified and requisite legal and constitutional authority to the implementation agencies should be provided with clear cut definitions. The financial implications for executing the implementation of such a system.

The first tier holder of the card system as mooted out is for covering all citizens of the state, since Meghalaya was created having the cut-off year from 1971. Such an exercise can be carried out based on the census and electoral role figures, covering all eligible person whether indigenous or otherwise. Whether such cards should be renewed from time to time can be worked out in the details. The holder of such a card can therefore claim to be permanent citizen of the state and could be used for other purposes also, in obtaining the various benefits and priorities that are due to a permanent citizen. A lot of ground work has to be covered in ensuring that all permanent citizens possess such a card. Such a card should safeguard the interests of the genuine people of the state whether indigenous or non-indigenous. Residents above 18 years of age however already posses voters identity card and having another citizen card would rather be a duplicacy, are some of the things which have to be thought of.

The problem of influx is serious enough, but it has to be tackled in a rational manner, whether it is through the card system or the inner line permit

The second category card is the semi-permanent residential card intended for technical and skilled personnel, who are not permanent citizens but contribute their activities in different spheres of development, educational and economic interests of the state. Whether students from outside the state who avail of their studies in the different educational institutions specially in the state capital Shillong, should fall in the category of semi residential card.

Whether people falling in this category would have to register themselves with any authority is another question in hand. Another important point is the huge floating population specially in the state capital, who visit the state for various business, trade and other official works, need to be covered by such a system and in which category they would fall.

The third category is the temporary card holders, specially intended for unskilled labour, who make their way into areas of developmental activities, such as construction of hydro electric dams, road construction and specially in the mineral mining areas such as in the coal and limestone belts in the state and also in the growing number of cement factories, that have really threatened the social set up and the demographic structure of the state. Some of these immigrants even come from neighbouring countries without any valid documents and it is here where the real danger of influx lies.

Whether such a three-tier card system can be worked out and also whether it can be effective is a question that has to be carefully studied. Already there exist traditional safeguards specially in the ownership of land both in rural and urban areas, under the customs and usages practiced in the traditional administrative system. Such as the village council (dorbar shnong) the Ri Raij council of a (cluster of villages) and the apex dorbar hima of the syiem, being the council of state. For making these traditional safeguards more effective, there is an important need that the power and functions of these bodies be given a clear cut constitutional definition, as the Panchayat Raj system does not apply in Meghalaya because of the existence of these traditional institutions.

None the less there is a strong opinion that any card system should not in any way disturb the tourist industry, which is presently catching up in being one of the main contributor to the state exchequer. Therefore many are apprehensive that the tourist flow would decline if any restriction is imposed on their visit to nay part of the state. Many are also vocal on this pertinent point. To quote former home minister of the state also Chairman of the Meghalaya Tourist development forum, Robert G. Lyngdoh, said- “our state cannot survive in isolation and implementation of ILP would adversely affect Meghalaya as a tourist destination, as there are different other ways to tackle the question of influx”.

In the same vein, the people of Sohra, the rainiest spot on earth, have strongly voiced their opinion through the press, that in no way should their economic interest be disturbed by any restriction on tourist, daily visiting Sohra throughout the year.

The problem of influx is serious enough, but it has to be tackled in a rational manner, whether it is through the card system or the inner line permit and most importantly that the genuine citizens of the state participate in a spirit of conviction and responsibility, to see that their social integrity, the rich heritage and culture and their land  and its assets are preserved and protected and that the natural resources are judiciously used, keeping in mind the legitimate rights and interests of up coming generations.

Face to Face with KSU President Daniel Khyriem Khasi Student’s Union of Meghalaya is demanding the implementation of ILP,  since long time. Eastern Panorama met the President of KSU Daniel Khyriem and spoke on the issue except from the interview Eastern Panorama: Inner Line Permit has failed to check Infiltration in states like Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland and Mizoram. How you think it can help Meghalaya? Daniel Khyriem: Yes, since it will help regulate the flow of illegal immigrants into our state. EP: What is your view of Work Permit? DK: Work permit is being implemented last year so we ask for the sincerity of the government. This can really help check and protect the indigeneous people of the state EP: Do you appreciate the recommendation of high power committee headed by B.M Lanong? DK: Yes, but ILP should be implemented firstly and then other mechanism also should be introduced to provide full proof, protection of the Indigeneous locals of the state. The state has to implement ILP firstly and then other mechanism can be discussed at a later stage. EP: What is your view on three tier card system, that is being proposed? DK: Well three-tier card system also is a long standing demand of the union provided has a cut-off year of 1971. But this system has to be, thoroughly discussed and examined so this system could protect the identity and culture of the indegeneous people of the state. EP: Will ILP not affect tourist? DK: Tourism is a booming industry in our state no question about that. We encourage tourism but not at the cost of the extinction of our race, and without the presence of proper and strong mechanism to detect illegal infiltration of our present state. But, given a choice we will need ILP in the state even if it affects the development of the state because what will we do with development when we are a minority and extinct from our own land. EP: Will ILP not harass the genuine non-tribals? DK: Well, the objective of ILP is to identify foreing infiltrators who are present in large numbers in our state. As we have been witnessed these people are also fundamentalist who are a threat not only to us but also to the entire country. So the question of genuine Indian being harassed does not arise. As a genuine citizen of Indian would have the neccessary documentation to prove his citizenship and will be able to travel the length and breadth of the country without any opposition but a person without documentation will be detected and deported due to this ILP regulation. Also the state shares a 425 Km international border with Bangladesh and we have demanded for the examption of the Indo-Nepal Friendly treaty 1900 from the state to protect our people.

Sumar Sing Sawian