Meghalaya wants Inner Line Permit to monitor entry

Meghalaya's HITO demands Inner Line Permit extension to curb infiltration and protect indigenous communities.

- Nibir Deka Guwahati

Meghalaya pressure group Hynniewtrep Integrated Territorial Organization (HITO) has written to Union Home Minister Amit Shah, seeking the urgent extension of the Inner Line Permit (ILP) regime to the entire state. The ILP is an official travel document issued by the Indian government to allow Indian citizens to enter and stay in specific protected areas for a limited time.

The letter raises serious concerns over growing internal security threats, demographic shifts, and alleged infiltration along the India-Bangladesh border.

In a detailed memorandum submitted to the Home Minister, HITO highlighted what it termed "alarming geopolitical developments" that have implications for Meghalaya's internal security. The group cited recent ceasefire developments along the India-Pakistan western front and "credible intelligence" on increased infiltration from Bangladesh, allegedly supported by Pakistan's ISI, as pressing reasons to tighten border regulations in the Northeast.