By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: The HSPDP has reiterated that it would continue to oppose any move by the Centre to carry out uranium mining in the State, and at the same time has demanded implementation of the Inner Line Permit (ILP) system in the State.
The party also pledged to continue its demand for a separate Khasi-Jaintia state.
“We have decided to continue our opposition to any plan by the Union Government to take up uranium mining in the State. We would not allow the mining of uranium on any circumstances since it is threat to the very existence of the local indigenous population,” HSPDP general secretary Enbin K Raswai told reporters on Friday.
Raswai also said that the HSPDP was in favour of the Inner Line Permit to tackle the problem of influx in the State.
“We would want the State Government to put in place a strong mechanism to check the entry of illegal migrants into the State at the earliest. We cannot allow this problem to get out of control,” he added.
Raswai said that the party also remains firm in its demand for creation of a separate Khasi-Jaintia state.
“We would continue to persuade and convince the local people across Khasi-Jaintia Hills to support our demand,” he said.
He said that the party also strongly opposed the move of the State Government to declare forest areas in West Khasi Hills as ‘elephant reserve’.
According to Raswai, the party is against the implementation of the Indian Registration Act, 1972, which makes it mandatory for the people to register their land with the Deputy Commissioner.
“We are informed that the people of Garo Hills do not have to register their land with the Deputy Commissioner since the land documents issued by the Nokma are considered authenticate,” he said, adding, “If this Act is not applicable in Garo Hills, the same should not be applicable in Khasi-Jaintia Hills.”
He said that the party also favoured the idea of codifying the traditional customary laws, while adding that the State Government and the district councils should decide on the matter.