HITO writes to Amit Shah for extension of ILP to Meghalaya

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaJuly 4, 2025

The Hynniewtrep Integrated Territorial Organization (HITO) has written to Union Home Minister Amit Shah urging the Centre for immediate extension of the Inner Line Permit (ILP) system to the entire state of Meghalaya.

“We firmly believe that the extension of ILP will: Enhance border security by regulating unchecked entry, safeguard indigenous communities and maintain demographic stability, help detect and deter the entry of anti-national elements and sleeper cells and reinforce national efforts against cross-border terrorism and infiltration,” HITO wrote.

“The need for implementing ILP in Meghalaya is no longer a matter of cultural protection alone but is now a strategic necessity in the interest of national security. We, therefore, appeal to your esteemed office to urgently consider and expedite the extension of the ILP regime to Meghalaya, in consultation with the State Government and local institutions,” it stated.

The HITO said the recent conflict and subsequent ceasefire between India and Pakistan along the western front has once again highlighted the need for heightened internal security across all sensitive border regions, including those in the North East.

More concerning is the credible intelligence emerging regarding increased infiltration along the India-Bangladesh border, including Meghalaya, and the establishment of a strategic base by Pakistan’s ISI in Bangladesh, which poses a serious national security threat.

In this context, the growing number of illegal infiltrations into Meghalaya—allegedly facilitated through monetary inducements—raises pressing concerns, it said adding that these activities are not only a violation of India’s sovereignty but also a potential gateway for sleeper cells or terror activities that could destabilize the peace and social fabric of the region.

Further, the HITO also pointed out at the mounting reports of fraudulent documentation, including thousands of fake Aadhaar and EPIC cards being used by infiltrators to access welfare schemes and blend into the local population.

“This is a major vulnerability that requires urgent redress.”

It also highlighted the recent murder incident in Sohra, reportedly involving individuals from outside the region, particularly Madhya Pradesh, underscores the need for better regulatory mechanisms to monitor and manage the inflow of non-local individuals into sensitive areas of Meghalaya. This unfortunate event could potentially have been averted had a robust permit system been in place.

“Given these developments, we strongly urge the immediate and full extension of the Inner Line Permit (ILP) system to the entire State of Meghalaya. The ILP, as operational in other Northeastern states, has proven to be a vital constitutional safeguard under the Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulation Act of 1873 to protect indigenous populations and maintain demographic and cultural balance,” the HITO stated further.