Maitshaphrang’s strike

SHILLONG, OCT 8: Maitshaphrang, an ngo fighting for implementation of the marriage act in the state, was denied permission by the district administration from holding its proposed ‘indefinite-hunger-strike’ to protest against the government’s failure to frame rules for the marriage act.

“There is a need for a place where people can hold protest peacefully like the Jantan Mantar in Delhi,” Maitshaprang converner Michael Syiem said while announcing the indefinite hunger strike at a news conference on Wednesday.

Syiem  statement came after he failed to get a proper place to hold the proposed anti-government strike.

“We were denied permissions by the authorities concerned from holding the strike in their respective areas,” Syiem said while pointing out that the organization had approached the authorities to allow holding the protests in Student’s Field, Jaiaw and Malki ground in the city.

According to Syiem, if the ngo holds any protest in front of the government secretariat the authorities will arrest them which will defeat the objective of holding such protests.

Despite the challenges, Syiem however said, “We have decided to go ahead with our indefinite hunger strike from next week, come what may.”

The social activist said the strike was called in view of the failure of the government to frame the rules for the implementation of the Meghalaya Compulsory Registration of Marriage Act which was passed two years ago.

Stating that the two months ultimatum served to the government has expired on October 6.- By Our Reporter