From Our Correspondent
NONGSTOIN: The fast-unto-death call by Pynskhemlang Nongshlong and others resumed at Nongstoin on Saturday. The protesters who were admitted at the Nongstoin Civil Hospital on Friday were discharged at 2:30 PM on Saturday and by 3 PM they had resumed their fast at a new venue near the West Khasi Hills Deputy Commissioner’s Office.
However, just two hours into the fast, officials of the Syiem of Nongstoin came to the site and objected to holding of the fast, alleging that the protesters had not sought the permission of the Syiem of Nongstoin.
The protesters were asked to vacate the place immediately and stage the protest elsewhere.
Altogether five protesters – Pynskhemlang, Smti Piarnalin Nongphud, Smti Brelinda Kharlyngdoh, Smti Phisila Nonglang and Miss Fullness Nongphud – resumed their fast-unto-death, while three other protesters – Elendro Dkhar, Brelishon and Miss Useful Nongphud – could not join in the fast as they were referred to the Shillong Civil Hospital.
CSWO (I) members led by Irene Hujon visited Nongstoin to follow up on the interruption and resumption of the fast.
The CSWO have also announced an agitation on Monday at Shillong to protest against the lackadaisical attitude of the State Government over the boundary dispute at Langpih.
Charistable Wanniang, general secretary of the CSWO, while explaining their purpose of visit to Nongstoin, said that people in both Khasi and Jaintia Hills were in a state of confusion as news had first surfaced that the fast-unto-death had been called off followed by reports that the agitation would continue from Nongstoin.
“After hearing the events that transpired at Langpih we now know that some politicians had tried to forcefully mislead the public and the agitators,” she said, while pointing out that the Langpih issue was a social one and should not be politicized.
She also said that the CSWO supported Pynskhemlang and the others in their fast-unto-death.
Meanwhile a decision was made to shift the agitators to the Nongstoin Civil Hospital on Saturday night. It is expected that the protesters would announce the new venue of their agitation on Sunday.
DC calls meeting
West Khasi Hills Deputy Commissioner S Kharlyngdoh has called a meeting of all the Headmen, Syiem, Sordar and NGOs of West Khasi Hills on Monday at 10:30 am to discuss issues relation to restoration of peace and harmony in Langpih and the district as a whole.
The DC has requested all the invitees to attend the meeting.
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