SHILLONG: Introduction of the Inner Line Permit (ILP) tops the agenda in the 12 point manifesto of KHNAM launched by the party on Monday.
The manifesto which was formally released by the party working president Adelbert Nongrum has stated they would demand from the State Government to implement ILP to tackle the problem of influx and illegal immigration.
While highlighting on some of the prominent issues in the manifesto, Nongrum said that they would impress upon on the need for codification of the Khasi customary laws including the customs and practices of the indigenous people.
According him, the party would stress upon the need for demarcation of the powers and functions of the district council and the State Government to avoid conflict.
KHNAM working president wished the deletion of Para 12 A of the Sixth Schedule of the Indian Constitution which weakens the functioning of the Autonomous District Council.
“We would also stress on our demand to stop issuing of fresh trading licenses especially on business activities which the local indigenous people are capable to do on their own. This would address the issue of preventing other communities to take away the livelihood of our people,” Nongrum said.
KHNAM working president said there is an urgent need to come up with more effective and stringent rules to prevent mixed marriage between indigenous and non-indigenous communities.
“We want to pressurize the state government to implement the Supreme Court ruling that children of a non-tribal man married to a tribal woman cannot claim the benefits local people are entitled to,” Nongrum said.
The other issue that the KHNAM has included in its manifesto is that the power to issue scheduled tribe certificate should be given back to the district council.
Preventing mining of mineral resources such as uranium, recognizing the district council as an agency for development, direct funding of the district council from the centre, introducing laws that will prevent non-indigenous people from participating in the decision and electing of public representatives at the district council also figures in the KHNAM manifesto.
Nongrum, however, also informed that corruption is another important issue for the party besides demanding from the state government to resolve the age-old boundary dispute with Assam which is affecting the indigenous people residing in the borders.
Appealing to the voters to support the party in the upcoming elections, Nongrum expressed confidence that the people will give KHNAM maximum number of seats.
KHNAM has fielded 13 candidates including three sitting MDCs to contest the February 24 KHADC elections.