Open to idea of National Register of Citizens (NRC) in State: Meghalaya Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong

A CORRESPONDENT

SHILLONG: Meghalaya Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong on Monday said that the government is open to the idea of preparing the National Register of Citizens (NRC) in the State.

Tynsong, however, said that the government was not saying that it was in favour or against the idea which has been demanded by various organisations and even political parties of Meghalaya.

“...not necessarily to say favour or not favour but as I said to you, this is to be discussed. In fact, we are open to the idea of our people in the state to whatever recommendations or suggestions that are being made by them,” the Deputy Chief Minister told media persons after holding a discussion with the Hynñiewtrep Youth Council (HYC).

Meanwhile, on the demands of the HYC to implement Inner Liner Permit (ILP) in the State as a measure to curb influx, Tynsong said that it is not necessarily implementing the provisions of the permit system but the government would like to revisit the Meghalaya Residents and Safety Security Act, 2016. “We are going to revisit the clauses to be incorporated again or what are the clauses which needs to be deleted for the interest of the people of our State and that is very important and very clear also,” the Meghalaya Deputy Chief Minister said.

Tynsong said that the Act passed in 2016 is very important, therefore, the government will revisit it so that it can be called an inclusive Act where we ILP will not be needed.