SHILLONG, June 5: Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma has urged the Centre to address a range of key issues concerning the state, including illegal immigration, constitutional safeguards for tribal communities, recognition of indigenous languages, and concerns over provisions of the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA), during the 73rd Plenary Session of the North Eastern Council (NEC) held in Shillong.
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| Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma submits a memorandum to Union Home Minister Amit Shah during the 73rd Plenary Session of the North Eastern Council (NEC) in Shillong. (Image: X/SangmaConrad) |
Sangma presented a memorandum to Union Home Minister Amit Shah, who chaired the high-level meeting attended by Governors, Chief Ministers and senior officials from across the Northeastern region.
According to the Chief Minister, one of Meghalaya's foremost concerns remains the issue of illegal immigration. In his memorandum, Sangma called upon the Government of India to establish a robust and effective mechanism to regulate and check illegal immigration into the state.
Highlighting measures already proposed by Meghalaya, he pointed to the Meghalaya Residents Safety and Security Act (MRSSA) and the demand for implementation of the Inner Line Permit (ILP) system as possible mechanisms to address the issue. The Meghalaya Legislative Assembly has previously passed resolutions supporting the introduction of ILP, which is viewed by many as an important tool for regulating the entry and stay of non-residents in the state.
The Chief Minister stressed that effective measures are necessary to safeguard the interests of indigenous communities and maintain demographic balance while ensuring lawful movement and settlement within constitutional provisions.
Another major issue raised by Sangma was the inclusion of the Khasi and Garo languages in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution. He urged the Centre to grant constitutional recognition to the two languages, stating that such a move would contribute significantly to preserving, promoting and strengthening the linguistic and cultural heritage of Meghalaya's indigenous communities.
The Eighth Schedule currently recognizes 22 Indian languages and provides various forms of institutional support and promotion. Inclusion of Khasi and Garo has long been a demand of cultural and social organizations in Meghalaya, which argue that constitutional recognition would help protect and develop the languages for future generations.
Sangma also raised concerns regarding proposed amendments to the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution, which governs the administration of tribal areas in several Northeastern states. He requested the Centre to undertake extensive consultations with all affected states before introducing any amendments.
According to the Chief Minister, any changes to the Sixth Schedule should be aimed at strengthening existing protections and governance mechanisms available to tribal communities. He emphasized the importance of preserving the autonomy and constitutional safeguards enjoyed by tribal populations under the current framework.
The memorandum further highlighted concerns expressed by various civil society organizations and institutions regarding certain amendments to the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA). Sangma noted that some organizations have raised apprehensions about provisions that could affect their functioning, operations and management of assets.
He urged the Centre to take these concerns into consideration while reviewing the implementation of the legislation.
Following the discussions, Sangma thanked Amit Shah for giving a patient hearing to Meghalaya's concerns and expressed optimism about positive outcomes on the issues raised by the state.
Meanwhile, addressing the NEC plenary, Amit Shah highlighted the transformation of the Northeast under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The Union Home Minister stated that the region had moved from being a "hotspot of disputes" to a "hotspot of opportunities," attributing the change to sustained efforts to promote peace, connectivity and development.
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Shah said the North Eastern Council continues to play a crucial role as a strategic institution for planning and coordinating development initiatives across the region while fulfilling the aspirations of the people and preserving the unique cultural heritage of the Northeast.
The 73rd NEC Plenary brought together political leaders and policymakers from across the eight Northeastern states to review development priorities, regional cooperation and policy issues affecting the region. The meeting focused on strengthening connectivity, economic growth, governance and social development while addressing state-specific concerns raised by participating governments.
