Meghalaya blockade from Tuesday

As the pressure groups in Meghalaya announced a four-day and night blockade from Tuesday demanding permits to check illegal influx of migrants, Chief Minister Mukul Sangma described the concept of restrictions as outdated.

The pressure groups plan to launch the agitation to demand the implementation of inner line permit (ILP) to check illegal influx into the state.

"It (ILP) is no longer an effective mechanism to check influx. This is a concept which was initiated during the British rule and has outlived its efficacy. So, implementation of ILP is not going to help any longer," Sangma told newsmen Monday on the sidelines of the North East CleanTech Summit here.

Pressure groups including the powerful Khasi Students' Union have been mounting pressure on the Congress government for curbs to check illegal influx.

The four-day and night blockade will start Tuesday and it will be in force in all the 11 districts from 7 p.m. to 5 a.m.