KSU to intensify own ILP implementation in Meghalaya amidst govt delay

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaAugust 18, 2025

The Khasi Students Union (KSU) has decided to intensify the implementation of its own Inner Line Permit (ILP) system in Meghalaya to curb the unabated influx of illegal immigrants.

The union claims that it has no other option but to take the law into its own hands due to the Centre and state’s inordinate delay in implementing ILP in the state.

The KSU has also demanded that the Centre grant Meghalaya a territorial army, similar to the one granted to Mizoram, to protect the state’s borders and interests.

Speaking to reporters at the sidelines of the sit-in-strike organized by NESO in Shillong on Monday, KSU general secretary Donald V Thabah said, “We have been organizing agitations demanding implementation of ILP. However, the Centre government is adamant to implement ILP. The state government is not really serious in pursuing the matter with the Central government. Therefore, the KSU has been compelled to implement its own ILP system in our state with volunteers conducting checks and eviction drives against illegal immigrants and doubtful people entering the state.”

When asked, Thabah said, “We have to take law into our own hands. We are compelled to do so because there are no laws to protect the identity and rights of the indigenous people. Therefore, we are very sorry that we have to take the law into our own hands.”

Referring to the current situation in Bangladesh and also the ongoing eviction drives conducted by the Assam government, the KSU leader said, “We are very much worried that the flow of the evicted people from Assam and people facing persecution in Bangladesh might enter our state.”

He announced that following the NESO protest, the KSU will continue to intensify its drive against illegal immigration into Meghalaya. 

To another query, Thabah said, “We don’t know why the government is delaying in implementation of ILP but we demand the state government to aggressively pursue for the implementation of ILP because things have become too serious and one day it will be too late. As long as the government cannot implement ILP or any other mechanisms to safeguard the identity and rights of indigenous people, the KSU will be compelled to take the laws into their own hands.” 

KSU steps up border security measures:

The KSU has intensified its efforts to secure the borders of Meghalaya, particularly in the wake of incidents in South West Khasi Hills. 

According to Thabah, members of the KSU are actively manning the borders, conducting checks on vehicles and people entering the state, and working with traditional institutions and headmen to identify individuals with doubtful antecedents.

The KSU is also collaborating with the Border Security Force (BSF) and state police to enhance border security. However, Thabah expressed concerns about the police’s limited powers without specific legislation to take action against illegal immigrants.

“We are also working with the police but then it seems that the police are powerless without any legislation that can really take action against such people who are entering our state illegally,” he stated.

“Despite BSF manning the border, people are able to enter our state but there are certain pockets of border especially in the Pynursla area, our circle there is working and had a meeting with the BSF so that both KSU and BSF are vigilant,”Thabah added.

Asked if villagers should be armed to protect themselves against illegal infiltration, the KSU leader said the Union right from the time when Bull Lyngdoh was its president and following the Pyrdiwah indicent has long been demanding the creation of a paramilitary unit or people’s army to guard the state’s borders.

Thabah cited the example of Mizoram, where the Government of India has granted the formation of a territorial army, and suggested that a similar unit should be established in Meghalaya, comprising personnel and officers from the indigenous inhabitants of the state.

“So we feel that the central government as well as the state government should also grant territorial army in Meghalaya whereby personnel and officers will belong to the indigenous inhabitants of the state,” he added further.