Shillong, June 4: The Khasi Students’ Union (KSU) has submitted a memorandum to Union Home Minister Amit Shah, urging the Central Government to implement the Inner Line Permit (ILP) system in Meghalaya, expedite the resolution of the Meghalaya-Assam border dispute, and include the Khasi language in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution.
The memorandum was submitted during the Union Home Minister’s visit to Shillong for the 73rd Plenary Session of the North Eastern Council (NEC). It was signed by KSU President Raymond Kharjana and General Secretary Reuben A. Najiar.
On the issue of ILP, the KSU expressed concern over what it described as unchecked illegal immigration into Meghalaya, arguing that it poses a threat to the demographic balance, cultural identity and rights of indigenous communities in the state. The union stated that the implementation of ILP under the Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulation, 1873, would serve as a crucial mechanism to regulate the entry and stay of non-local visitors, similar to neighbouring states such as Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Mizoram and Manipur.
The KSU also highlighted that the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly had unanimously passed a resolution on December 19, 2019, urging the Centre to implement ILP in the state. According to the union, the resolution reflected the collective will of the people of Meghalaya to safeguard their land, culture and identity.
Regarding the interstate border dispute with Assam, the union welcomed the Centre’s efforts that led to the signing of the first phase of the Meghalaya-Assam border agreement in March 2022. However, it pointed out that several areas of difference, including Langpih, Block I and II, Nongwah-Mawtamur, Psiar-Khanduli and Borduar, remain unresolved. The KSU urged the Ministry of Home Affairs to facilitate the speedy completion of Phase-II talks while ensuring that historical facts, ethnic ties, administrative convenience and the wishes of local residents are respected.
The union further appealed to the Centre to ensure peace is maintained in the disputed areas and requested that Assam refrain from any actions that could escalate tensions until a final settlement is reached.
On the demand for constitutional recognition of the Khasi language, the KSU said its inclusion in the Eighth Schedule would help preserve and promote the linguistic and cultural heritage of the Khasi people. The union maintained that Khasi fulfils all necessary criteria for inclusion and is supported by a strong historical, literary and demographic foundation.
In its memorandum, the KSU urged the Union Home Minister to take necessary steps to implement ILP in Meghalaya, facilitate a peaceful and mutually acceptable resolution of the border dispute with Assam, and initiate the legislative process for including Khasi in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution.
The union expressed hope that decisive intervention by the Centre would strengthen peace, stability and trust among the indigenous people of Meghalaya.
