Will strengthen local bodies to check influx of migrants: People’s Democratic Front

A Reporter

SHILLONG: The People’s Democratic Front (PDF) has promised to strengthen the institutions of the Syiem, Sirdar, Doloi and the Rangbah Shnong to curb influx of immigrants into the Khasi-Janitia hills region of Meghalaya and stated that the Inner Line Permit (ILP) is one way of doing it.

“We will strengthen the traditional institutions in order to restrict immigrants coming into our area,” Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) Member of District Council, James Ban Basaiawmoit said after the release of the party manifesto in Shillong on Thursday.

The Mawkhar-Pynthorumkhrah MDC who will be contesting the election on a PDF ticket also said ILP is one such mechanism that can counter influx of outsiders.

He however said there should not be a hurry in getting the assent on the Khasi Hill Autonomous District (Inner Line as adopted from the Eastern Frontier Regulation, 1873) Regulation Bill, 2018, which was passed by the KHADC last year.

“We will leave it to the wisdom of the State Government to study it properly so that the law when passed becomes effectively strong,” he said.

Apart from measures to curb influx in the Khasi-Jaintia hills region, the other issues in the ten-point manifesto of the PDF include preserving the environment, encouraging traditional music and other form of arts of the indigenous people.

The PDF has promised that if it comes to power it will make laws to preserve the tradition and culture, land rights of the indigenous people as per the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution.

The party has also assured that it will set up markets and put in other measures to uplift the business of the indigenous people of Khasi-Jaintia Hills region.

Another issue that the PDF has promised in its manifesto is to find out ways and means to create employment for the indigenous people.

The PDF also assured that it will form committees to study how the functioning of the district council can be streamlined and make this institution more effective.

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