SHILLONG, OCT 30: Traditional chiefs and headmen who led a crowd of over a lakh people here Friday have threatened to storm the main secretariat on November 5 if the Mukul led state government failed to fulfill their seven-point demands by November 4.
Leading a procession of over a lakh of people under the banner of Synjuk Ki Nongsynshar Shnong Ka Bri U Hynniewtrep (SNSBH), the traditional chiefs and headmen said will not be deterred by show of forces by the state government as they are willing to be arrest saying if the state government has enough spaces in the different jails to accommodate such a crowd.
The decision to storm the secretariat was part of the resolution adopted by the mega procession called by SNSBH which was
attended by over a lakh of people who had come from six districts of Khasi and Jaintia hills to take part in the procession .
“This procession with an overwhelming majority of more than two lakhs people has resolved to demand from the state government under leadership of Mukul Sangma and his ministers to fulfill our demands within November 4,” SNSBH president Dr Werlock Kharshiing told reporters after the procession.
Kharshiing said, “In case our demand is not met, the SNSBH along with public and supporters will march again on November 5, to demonstrate in front of the main secretariat,” adding “We are ready to give ourselves in the custody of the government.”
Highlighting the seven-point demand of the SNSBH, he said, “We want immediate assent of the Village Administration Bills passed by the KHADC & JHADC and demand for a special session of the Assembly again to re-insert the clause that was amended or deleted from the Prevention of Disqualification (Members of Legislative Assembly of Meghalaya).
Demanding resignation of chief minister Mukul Sangma and his cabinet ministers, Kharshiing said, “Politically at the moment, the people have rejected his leadership in the recently concluded GHADC elections and this procession held today has clearly demonstrated that people of Khasi and Jaintia Hills has no more confidence in him.”
Further, he said, “We also demand that MUDA should not extend its jurisdiction beyond municipality and encroach upon schedule areas of district councils,” adding “We also wish the state government and district council to have a dialogue and understanding to settle this issue amicably.”
“We also want to remind the state government that it should maintain its sanctity to preserve our land and customs, which is unique in this part of the world,” he said while informing the other
demand is for government to issue notification to all SDOs/BDOs and other officers to respect the residential certificates from the headmen, who have been duly authorize by the KHADC Rules, 2015.
The resolution was announced at the parking lot near the additional secretariat, where the mega procession culminated after marching from Lachumiere, Keating Road, Police Bazaar, and Governor’s house.
This is the second time Meghalaya has witnessed a sea of humanity as people from all walks of life converged to protest against the Congress led State government.
Before announcing the decision, effigy of chief minister Mukul Sangma was also burnt after the agitating crowd including women who are chewing kwai, spit, stamp and dance over it.
Participants at the rally also displayed placards and banners as they shouted slogans condemning the Chief Minister and his cabinet ministers including Urban Affairs Minister Ampareen Lyngdoh, DCA Minister HDR Lyngdoh and Deputy Chief Minister in-charge Law Rowel Lyngdoh.
Security was also beefed up in and around the city to ensure law and order is maintained.- By Our Reporter
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