Meghalaya's rising demand for Inner Line Permit
After the killing of a businessman from Indore in Meghalaya, local groups are once again urging the government to introduce the Inner Line Permit (ILP)—a system meant to control and track outsiders entering the state. Although Meghalaya's assembly asked for this back in 2019, there's still no green light from the Centre.
Why an ILP is being seen as solution
Many locals feel that an ILP could help protect indigenous communities by requiring visitors to register, making it tougher for people with bad intentions to slip through. Groups like the Hynniewtrep Youth Council say it's about keeping their culture safe and preventing unchecked entry. While waiting on Delhi's decision, the state is tightening its own rules under the Meghalaya Residents, Safety and Security Act (MRSSA)—but so far, that hasn't solved all concerns about illegal migration.