Anti-influx group announces 3-day hunger strike

SHILLONG, DEC 4: The Hynniewtrep Youth Council (HYC) today announced a three-day hunger strike from December 7, demanding the state government to pass official resolution to implement its 14-point of demands, which include ILP, in the upcoming Assembly’s winter session to be held from December 8.

The Council also threatened to campaign against political parties which failed to reflect their seriousness on the influx related issues in their respective manifestos in the upcoming 2018 state elections.

Addressing media persons here on Monday, HYC general secretary Robertjune Kharjahrin said that the hunger strike is as a mark of protest against the Congress-led state government’s adamant attitude towards the demand for strong anti-influx laws.

He informed that members of the Council will gather in front of the bust of former KSU leader Bull N Lyngdoh at Dhankheti on December 7, to observe his death anniversary, before marching towards the parking lot near the additional Secretariat, where the hunger strike is proposed to be staged.

“If the state government under the leadership of chief minister Mukul Sangma fails to pass official resolution to implement our demands, we would be compelled to intensify our agitational programmes against the ruling Congress,” he said.

The demands include implementation of the inner line permit, residential permit, cut off year, to introduce the concept of voting in place of origin, and other strong anti-influx mechanisms.

Kharjahrin said that the protest is also against all the Independent legislators and those belonging to different political parties, who are supporting the present ruling Congress-led MUA-II government.

“We cannot just blame Mukul and his cabinet ministers because all these other legislators (who are not from the Congress) are also part of the government,” he added.

Earlier, the HYC had also staged series of protests against the chief minister and his cabinet ministers, after they refused to entertain its invitation for discussion on the points suggested as strong laws to check influx and illegal immigration.

It has also launched the ‘Save Hynniewtrep Mission’ to further intensify its demand through public meetings for creating awareness among the citizens of the state on the importance to protect the interest of the indigenous community.

Further, the Council had also met the opposition regional political parties which include the Hill State People Democratic Party (HSPDP), United Democratic Party (UDP), Khun Hynniewtrep National Awakening Movement (KHNAM) and People Democratic Front (PDF) for their support.

Stating that there are other political parties which had not invited the Council for discussion on the issue, Kharjahrin however said, “If they fail to reflect their seriousness on the matter in their respective manifestos, we will campaign against them in the upcoming elections.”

Referring to a statement made by the chief minister, he said, “The non-inclusion in the manifesto of the Congress is one of the reasons that the party has hesitate to take necessary steps to implement the ILP in the state according to Mukul.”

Therefore, the Council wanted to see that all political parties should include how they are going to tackle the issue related to influx if they are voted to power, he said.

Meanwhile, the HYC will also release a number of questionnaires to be circulated to all political parties and also candidates of the upcoming 2018 election during the proposed hunger strike.

“The questionnaires include whether they support or not the implementation of the ILP in the state, railway, residential permit and others,” Kharjahrin said adding in this way, the Council will have proof if they fail to deliver their promises.

By Our Reporter

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