Centre asks Meghalaya not to enforce BEFR

Centre has recommended Meghalaya government not to enforce Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulations Act 1873 which facilitates restriction of entry of outsiders into the state by way of an Inner Line Permit even as there is a growing demand by tribal groups here.
"Both the governments have been in touch in the past three months on the issue after 14 pressure groups have launched anti-government protests demanding the implementation of ILP," Meghalaya Commissioner and Secretary J Lyngdoh told PTI.
ILP is in vogue in Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland and Mizoram.
Lyngdoh said the state government has received the letter from the Union Home Ministry indicating the present status of the Act which was legislated by the erstwhile British in 1873 to restrict entry of outsiders into certain areas in the North East region.

The official said the letter which was addressed to the Chief Minister categorically stated that the regulation has not brought about any positive impact on development to the states implementing it even after 66 years of Independence.
While the letter said that the regulations can continue in states it is in existence as per the Constitution, the ILP cannot be introduced in any other new states, he said.
Reacting to the letter, a spokesperson of the pro-ILP groups today said they welcomed the recommendation of the Home Ministry.