Shillong, July 17: The demand for a strong anti-influx mechanism, including the implementation of the inner-line permit (ILP), gained ground today as people across Khasi and Jaintia hills of Meghalaya observed the death anniversary of Khasi freedom fighter U Tirot Sing Syiem.

Commemorating the 182nd death anniversary of U Tirot Sing, the Hynniewtrep Youths Council organised a march from Dinam Hall, Jaiaw, to the State Central Library premises here and shouted slogans against the Congress-led government for its failure to implement the ILP in the state and other mechanisms that can safeguard the indigenous people.

U Tirot Sing was defeated and captured by the British in January 1833 from a cave he was hiding in at Nongkhlaw. He was deported to Dhaka where he died in captivity on July 17, 1835.

The government had declared a state holiday.

Political parties, including the United Democratic Party (UDP), Khun Hynniewtrep National Awakening Movement (KHNAM) and BJP, also observed the death anniversary and paid floral tributes.

The day was also observed at Nongkhlaw, the birthplace of U Tirot Sing, besides Mairang and other places.

Commemorating the death anniversary, the Khasi Students' Union, which is spearheading the protest against the railway project, threatened to intensify its agitation if a wrong decision is taken on the issue.

On the government's invitation to various groups for discussion on Wednesday, KSU president Lambokstarwell Marngar said the union would attend the meeting. "However, if the government takes a wrong decision on this issue, we will hit the streets and agitate in a more aggressive manner. If the protest leads to bloodshed, chief minister Mukul Sangma and his government will be responsible," Marngar said.

Before the march, HYC general secretary Robert June Kharjahrin, addressing thousands of its activists, announced their stand against railway projects, and reiterated the demand for implementation of inner-line permit, as in the other states of the Northeast. The ILP is in use in Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland and Mizoram.

"We will not accept railway lines without inner-line permit. With due respect to other groups demanding comprehensive mechanisms, the HYC will not accept mechanisms such as entry/exit points proposed by the government," Kharjahrin said.

He said while inner-line permit can regulate and punish people who enter illegally without valid papers, entry/exit points would instead facilitate the entry of people into the state.

"Unlike the inner-line permit, entry/exit points can do nothing if visitors fail to produce valid documents. We strongly condemn chief minister Mukul Sangma's statement for linking entry/exit points with the ILP," he said.

He added that inner-line permits were not implemented as it caused inconvenience to national political parties.

"In Manipur, the BJP and the Congress are supporting the implementation of ILP but out here they fear that the ILP might affect their vote bank," Kharjahrin said.

He also dared the ministers of the Congress-led government, including the chief minister, to join a discussion on the 14 demands put forth by it at the Khasi National Durbar Hall here on Saturday.

"We have submitted a memorandum to the chief minister in February this year but he did not pay any heed. If they say the ILP cannot be implemented in the state, they should come and debate with us. But if they fail to turn up, we are prepared to take on the deaf government," Kharjahrin said.

During the march, thousands of HYC activists passed through Motphran, the main commercial centre, Shillong civil hospital and shouted slogans against ministers of the Mukul Sangma-led government such as "Mukul Sangma down down," "railways go back", "No ILP No Rest" till they reached the State Central Library premises for a sit-in.

The president of the council, Peter J. Lawai, said Assam, which already had the Assam Accord, is facing the problem of influx and what more can Meghalaya expect with no law to safeguard the indigenous people.

"We need a strong law that can differentiate us from others. It is only a misconception to say that the ILP cannot be implemented in Meghalaya in the name of affecting development and tourism," Lawai said.