SHILLONG : Union Home Minister Amit Shah has assured the Khasi Students’ Union (KSU) that the Centre may step in to address the Assam-Meghalaya border dispute if ongoing talks between the two states fail to progress through proper channels. He also informed the delegation that a committee of retired Supreme Court judges will soon be constituted to examine demands for inclusion of the Khasi language in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution.
The assurances were given during a meeting between Shah and a KSU delegation in Shillong on Wednesday on the sidelines of the 73rd Plenary Session of the North Eastern Council (NEC).
Speaking to reporters after the meeting, KSU General Secretary Reuben Najiar said the delegation raised three major issues before the Union Home Minister — implementation of the Inner Line Permit (ILP), the Assam-Meghalaya border dispute, and inclusion of Khasi in the Eighth Schedule.
On the issue of ILP, Najiar said the union highlighted the long-standing demand of the people of Meghalaya for a protective mechanism against illegal immigration.
He pointed out that recent eviction drives in Assam and West Bengal have increased concerns that illegal immigrants may move into other states, including Meghalaya, due to the absence of strict entry regulations.
“Meghalaya currently has no effective law to safeguard itself from illegal immigration. Therefore, it is important that ILP is implemented to protect the indigenous Khasi, Jaintia and Garo communities,” Najiar said.
The KSU also raised concerns regarding the interstate border dispute, particularly in areas such as Lapangap, where the union alleged that Assam has recently adopted an aggressive approach despite agreements to maintain the status quo in disputed areas.
According to Najiar, Shah acknowledged the issue and stated that while the dispute primarily involves two states, the Government of India could intervene if it finds that the resolution process is not being followed appropriately.
“The Home Minister assured us that if the Centre finds that the matter is not progressing through proper channels, it can step in and intervene,” Najiar said.
Regarding the long-pending demand for inclusion of Khasi in the Eighth Schedule, Najiar said Shah informed the delegation that the process is moving forward and that a committee comprising retired Supreme Court judges will soon be established to examine all pending language demands.
The Home Minister reportedly noted that nearly 100 languages across the country are seeking inclusion in the Eighth Schedule, and the proposed committee would help determine which languages qualify for recognition.
When asked whether the meeting had yielded concrete results, Najiar said the union’s responsibility was to place the concerns of the people before the authorities.
“As a union, our duty is to present the aspirations and concerns of the people. It is now for the state and central governments to examine these issues and take appropriate action,” he said.
Reiterating the union’s stand on ILP, Najiar said KSU has been consistently demanding its implementation through protests and public campaigns over the years.
Despite the uncertainty surrounding the issue, he expressed optimism that Meghalaya could eventually receive ILP status.
“Manipur was granted ILP in 2019. We remain hopeful that Meghalaya will also receive ILP in the coming months or years,” he said.