HNLC calls for twelve hours bandh

Shillong, December 19: The proscribed Hynniewtrep National Volunteers’ Council (HNLC) has called for a 12-hour bandh on December 23 demanding “unconditional-release” of all the pro ILP activists arrested by police during the three months agitations on Inner Line Permit (ILP) issue.

The 12-hour bandh called will start from 6 AM to 6 PM as a mark of protest against the arrests of the ILP activist who the HNLC publicity secretary Sainkupar Nongtraw said are lodged inside the jail on false charges against them.

During the three months long agitations about 71 pro ILP activists were  arrested in connection with the 86 cases related to arsons and others besides murder.  While majority have been booked under Meghalaya Maintenance of Public Order (MMPO) Act, few were detained under the Meghalaya Prevention of Detention Act (MPDA).

In a press statement issued on Thursday, Nongtraw said, “The government must immediately and unconditionally release all the political prisoners and detainees without delay.” He said that emergency services, media and religious activities are exempted from the purview of the bandh.

Saying that many youths are being blamed for causing damages to government properties, Nongtraw said, “Their families are being impacted with mental torture, as they have to run to the judiciary system for securing bail.” He said many youths belong to poor families and their parents and relatives are running from pillar to post to make monetary arrangements for engaging lawyers and securing bail.”

While stating that the ngos leaders are being hunted by the police department, Nongtraw also  said, “NGOs had sought many democratic means to solve the ILP issue, but the MUA government had turned a blind eye by putting aside its democratic character.”

While pointing that people of the state are preparing for the Christmas celebration, Nongtraw,however,  questioned what about the youths who have been put in jail. He said, “ Don’t they also deserve to be with their families during Xmas?”

The HNLC termed the action of the state government by imposing draconian laws such as the Meghalaya Prevention Detention Act (MPDA) against leaders as “step motherly attitude” towards the youths.

Nongtraw said that the ngos have been fighting for genuine rights to protect the identity of the Hynñiewtrep people, but sadly, he observed, they are treated like  terrorists.” The HNLC also alleged that corrupt ministers and government officials are swindling crores of rupees, but no action is being taken against them.

Stating that for the Indian Government the only criminals are the HNLC and ngos leaders, Nongtraw said, “This kind of political ploy of targeting them by the police department under the instruction of the Congress government will not be able to silence the masses.”

Nongtraw also warned that soon people will come out in the open to support the national cause of the HNLC and that will be a turning point to retaliate with the dictatorship of the government.- By Our Reporter