Shillong , April 4: Tourism Minister Paul Lyngdoh on Friday hailed the passing of the Immigration and Foreigners Bill, 2025, as a significant step forward for Meghalaya. He emphasized the state’s unique challenges, including its long and porous international border with Bangladesh and proximity to Assam, which faces persistent issues of illegal immigration.
Lyngdoh stated, “This major development is certainly very welcome for a state like Meghalaya… It is going to tighten our grip over illegal immigration into the northeast. Given the volatile political situation in neighboring Bangladesh, we urgently need measures to ensure the state’s demographic balance is not disturbed.”
The minister also addressed the ongoing discussions around implementing the Inner Line Permit (ILP) in Meghalaya. Despite the state Assembly unanimously passing a resolution on ILP in 2020, the Centre has yet to approve its implementation.
Lyngdoh clarified that the Union Home Ministry is not opposed to the idea but has raised concerns that need to be addressed. He explained, “The Centre has flagged issues such as Meghalaya being a transit point to other states like Mizoram and Tripura, as well as districts within Assam. They also pointed out that we already have the Sixth Schedule, the Landlord and Tenant Act (LTA), and the Autonomous District Councils (ADCs), which are constitutionally mandated with significant powers.”
Lyngdoh assured that discussions and negotiations with the Centre are ongoing. “It’s not the end of the road for our state. Our effort would be to persuade the Centre by responding to their queries satisfactorily,” he said.
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