From Our Correspondent
NONGSTOIN: West Khasi Hills Deputy Commissioner S Kharlyngdoh on Monday held a meeting with Team Pynskhem, Synjuk ki Rangbah Shnong, Syiem of Nongstoin and the Synjuk ki Nongsynshar Shnong.
Team Pynskhem comprised of members of the West Khasi Hills Students’ Union, Hynniewtrep Achik National Movement, Western People’s Movement and the West Khasi Hills Headmen for Peace and Development Committee.
In the meeting the DC made a fervent appeal to the NGOs to cease the fast-unto-death and to give the Government enough time to pursue their demands. He said that the Government had already provided them with an assurance letter as desired and that the matter is being pursued.
Headman of Mawkawah, W Lyngdoh led the delegation of the NGOs from Nongstoin said that the fast-unto-death, so long as it is observed in Langpih, was of no concern to them. He said that once the fast was shifted to Nongstoin, it became a problem for them as the fast would have serious repercussions on the communities in Nongstoin.
He requested them to ask Pynskhemlang to call off his agitation, with an assurance that if the Government did not respond to their demands within the next two months, they would also participate in the agitation.
Arphul Kharbani, president, HANM West Khasi Hills said that they had supported the Langpih issue since the beginning. He lauded the effort of the Government to solve the issue. He said that not only were both the Governments of Assam and Meghalaya showing their interests in the Langpih issue but Union Government was also concerned. He appreciated Home Minister HDR Lyngdoh’s visit to Langpih and said that the assurance letter from the Government was a welcomed move. He however said that if the Government did not progress beyond this letter, they would take stern action and call a massive agitation.
Macmilan Byrsat Lyngdoh of the Syiem of Nongstoin said that the Government s of Assam and Meghalaya cannot alone solve the issue and that a mediator from the Union Government can only solve the issue. He said that the Langpih issue was not only Pynskhemlang’s problem but the problem of all the Khasis of Meghalaya. He assured that if the Government did not respond soon they would also join the agitation. He however requested the protesters to suspend the fast temporarily.
Stanley Kharbani, president of the West Khasi Hills Headmen for Peace and Development Committee, said that the decision of withdrawing the fast rested with Pynskhem. He also informed that Pynskhem had said that if the Government made some initiative regarding the list of demands that they had put forward, it would be sufficient for Pynskhem to call off the agitation.
Later a delegation of the NGOs visited Pynskhem at the Nongstoin Civil Hospital and appealed to him to suspend the fast. Pynskhem said that it was only the 17th day of his fast and he would have to think it over and then take a decision.
Till filing of this report, Pynskhem was still considering his next move.