SHILLONG, MAY 16: Former KHADC CEM Adelbert Nongrum and a youth supporter kicked started ‘indefinite hunger strike” instead of “fast unto death” which was refused by the district administration on the ground that it tantamount to “suicide.”
The hunger strike is to demand the approval for the KHAD (Village Administration) Bill, 2014 to empower the traditional heads which is pending with the state government.
The two had sought permission to hold the ‘fast unto death’ at the parking lot near the Additional Secretariat.
Nongrum and Goldy Warjri however later changed their plan and instead decided to hold the ‘fast unto death’ underneath the statue of a Jaintia freedom fighter U Kiang Nangbah located at the Barik junction in the city.
Soon after the two started their protest, magistrates deputed by the district administration came and appeal to Nongrum and Warjri that if they decide to go ahead with their fast unto death they will have to be arrested under section 309 IPC.
“We cannot allow them to continue with such protest as constitution does not give anybody the right to death or to take one’s own life. We will have to arrest if they are unwilling to withdraw,” a magistrate told reporters.
It was only after this, Nongrum decided to send a fresh letter for permission to hold an indefinite hunger strike and it was accepted by the district administration.
As a mark of support and solidarity, family members, friends besides leaders and members including MDCs from the KHNAM accompanied Nongrum and Warjri during the staging of the indefinite hunger strike.
“Fast unto death and indefinite hunger strike is more or less the same. I decided to choose this peaceful agitation to allow the state government to look into the demands put before it for immediate consideration,” Nongrum said.
The decision was taken after state government failed to heed to his ten days deadline which expired on Friday.
The demands put up by the former KHADC CEM is that the state government must pass the Village Administration Bill, 2014 and not to encroach into the jurisdiction of the district council by coming up with any law to empower the traditional heads.
“I am firm that my protest will continue till the time that the state government fulfills all my demands,” Nongrum said asserting that he has taken a personal decision as an MDC representing Jaiaw constituency.
Warjri, a 32 year old youth from Lumdiengjri who also decided to join Nongrum’s fast unto death agitation said, “I am with Nongrum on this as I feel the same way about the issue which is affecting our age old traditional system. I am here to fully support him come what may.”
Stating that the VA Bill was a unanimous decision taken by the 30-member House of the KHADC, Nongrum said, “I appeal to the new executive committee (EC) led by PDF not to change their stand on the matter but to ensure that VA Bill is passed at the earliest.”
According to Nongrum, the KHADC has done its duty by coming up with the VA Bill and have given maximum time to the state government to do what is necessary.
Nongrum also maintained that the recent ordinance approved by the state cabinet will never be accepted on the ground that it is ‘unconstitutional’ and is an attempt to encroach into the powers of the district council.
Further, Nongrum also appealed to all traditional chiefs and headmen not to be misguided by the ordinance introduced by the government.- By Our Reporter
I personally congratulate Mr. Nongrum and Warjri for their decision to stage a hunger strike. I salute them. The present and ex heads of different villages should be part of the peaceful protest led by these two brave comrades. Will they(headmen) dare to do? Let us wait and watch.