SHILLONG, April 5: Meghalaya Cabinet Minister Paul Lyngdoh has clarified that the Central Government is not opposed to the implementation of the Inner Line Permit (ILP) in the state. Instead, the Centre is currently examining the administrative and logistical aspects involved in its rollout.

Addressing the media, Lyngdoh emphasized that discussions between the state and central government are ongoing. “The Centre’s concern is not with the concept of ILP per se, but with how it can be implemented effectively, given the unique geographical and constitutional dynamics of Meghalaya,” he said.

The ILP demand has long been a contentious issue in Meghalaya, with civil society organisations, student bodies, and residents staging repeated protests for its implementation. Despite the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly unanimously passing a resolution in December 2019 in support of ILP, the Centre has not yet granted approval, even after more than five years.

According to Lyngdoh, one of the primary considerations for the Centre is Meghalaya’s strategic position as a transit corridor for other northeastern states, including Mizoram, Tripura, and parts of Assam. “The real challenge lies in balancing the ILP framework with the need to ensure uninterrupted movement of people and goods through the state,” he noted.

Another concern revolves around the existing powers granted to the state’s autonomous district councils (ADCs) under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution. These councils already have authority to regulate entry into tribal areas, and the Centre is reviewing how ILP might interact with these provisions.

Reaffirming the state government’s commitment, Lyngdoh said, “It’s not the end of the road. We are continuing to engage with the central government, addressing their concerns and demonstrating our preparedness to implement ILP in a practical and effective manner.”