VPP MP Ricky Syngkon Urges Amit Shah to Implement ILP in Meghalaya

Voice of the People Party (VPP) MP from Shillong, Ricky Andrew J Syngkon, has renewed the long-standing demand for implementing the Inner Line Permit (ILP) regime in Meghalaya by submitting a detailed five-page letter to Union Home Minister Amit Shah.

In the petition, Syngkon highlighted that Meghalaya shares similar geographical, demographic, and security challenges with states like Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Mizoram, and Manipur, where the ILP is already in force. He argued that the system has not harmed these states in any way and has instead bolstered internal security while preserving tribal identity.

The MP pointed to the recent passage of the Immigration and Foreigners Bill, 2025, and the Centre's commitment to curbing illegal immigration as a timely opportunity to incorporate ILP into India's national immigration framework. A digitally integrated ILP system in Meghalaya, harmonised with central databases and existing laws, would add an extra layer of screening and documentation, he noted.

Syngkon emphasised that extending ILP to Meghalaya aligns perfectly with the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution, which grants special protections to tribal areas in the Northeast through autonomous district councils aimed at safeguarding land, culture, and customary practices. The ILP, as applied in other states, serves the same goal: regulating non-indigenous settlement to protect sensitive tribal regions and maintain security.

Describing Meghalaya as a tribal-majority state with a delicate ecology and historical concerns over demographic shifts, the Shillong MP warned against uncontrolled long-term migration that could alter the state's character, citing examples from Tripura and Assam where indigenous populations have faced significant changes.

He clarified that ILP does not aim to restrict law-abiding Indian citizens or genuine visitors. Instead, it mandates registration of identity, purpose, and duration of stay upon entry, deterring illegal settlement and proxy land acquisitions.

The system would balance the rights of indigenous communities to preserve their cultural and demographic uniqueness with the freedoms of others to travel, work, or invest in the state under regulated conditions.

Given Meghalaya's extensive porous border with Bangladesh and its shared boundary with Assam—where illegal immigration remains a challenge—Syngkon stressed the risks of spillover migration. ILP would enable better monitoring of movement patterns, identify suspicious activities, and provide valuable data for security planning, thereby enhancing the Centre's border management efforts.

To move forward, the MP proposed forming a joint technical committee involving officials from the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Meghalaya government to develop a robust implementation framework, ensuring compatibility with laws like the Meghalaya Residents Safety and Security Act (MRSSA).

He also called for transparent communication from the Centre to Parliament and the state Assembly regarding the ILP proposal's status and timeline to alleviate ongoing public concerns.

Syngkon recalled the unanimous resolution passed by the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly in December 2019, urging the inclusion of the state under the Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulation, 1873, for ILP enforcement. This cross-party agreement, he said, underscores a deep societal consensus on issues of demographic vulnerability and unregulated influx.

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