Hunger strike put on hold

SHILLONG, OCT 13: Maitshaphrang on Monday decided to put on holdthe proposed indefinite hunger strike following the state government’s assurance to finalize the rules of the Meghalaya Compulsory Registration of Marriage Act which was passed in 2012.

“We have decided to put on hold our strike after the state government has assured that it would soon come up with the rules for the implementation of the Marriage Act,” Maitshaphrang convener Michael Syiem told reporters at a press conference on Monday.

Earlier, Maitshaphrang had announced to hold its strike this week to protest against the government’s delay of the issue.

Welcoming the response of the government, Syiem said that  he has received a letter from the Excise, Registration, Taxation & Stamps department informing that  rules will  soon be finalized and notified.

The government informed that the draft rules had been placed before the cabinet which upon, examination, directed the department concerned to further fine-tune the draft rules and come back to the cabinet for final approval, he said.

Syiem said Maitshaphrang had approached the minister AL Hek requesting him to intervene and the issue is being taken up in the next cabinet meeting. According to him, the minister also has acknowledged the importance of the Act and has assured that he will see that the rules get the approval of the cabinet.

Stating that the act will to a great extent helps addressing the social problem, Syiem said, “We have many young widows and divorcees in Shillong and everywhere in the state because there is no Act to bind the people to be responsible towards their families.”

Syiem also said, “Such problem has even affected the legislators where they would complaint that most of the time people would come to them to seek financial assistance for their children’s school fees and other requirements. When enquired from them, such people would inform that their husbands either have left them or have passed away.”

It may be mentioned here that state cabinet discuss the issue last on September 4.

Syiem said the strike is just being kept on hold as the organization is not withdrawing till the time the state government is ready with the rules for effective implementation of the Act within this year.

The Maitshaphrang said depending on the government’s sincerity, it will accordingly take a decision.- By Our Reporter