Vendors gherao KHADC office in Ardent’s support

SHILLONG: Hundreds of local vendors of Iewduh gheraoed the KHADC office on Friday in anger over the demand of the UDP to remove HSPDP vice president Ardent Miller Basaiawmoit as the CEM of the Council.
The local vendors held a meeting at Iewduh before marching towards the KHADC office.
The local vendors want Basaiawmoit to continue as the CEM.
“We have seen the good works of the new EC under the leadership of Basaiawmoit. There is no better leader who can lead the Council,” the local vendors said while talking to newsmen.
Basaiawmoit was compelled to come out of his chamber to calm down the local vendors who had gathered on the premises of the Council.
Addressing the angered crowd, Basaiawmoit said he had not come to the Council with the intention of occupying the CEM’s post but to serve the interest of the indigenous people.
He also asserted that he was ready to step down if the UDP tried to find faults against him to effect a split in the ruling All Regional Parties Alliance (ARPA).
“I am thankful to the local vendors for their love and support,” he added.
Meanwhile, KHNAM working president Adelbert Nongrum said that UDP would have to answer to the people if there is any split in ARPA.
ARPA meet on Sept 2
ARPA secretary Latiplang Kharkongor informed on Friday that a crucial meeting of alliance parties (HSPDP, UDP and KHNAM) to resolve the crisis in the ruling group will be held on September 2 at 4 pm.
“During the meeting we will discuss the demand of the UDP to remove Basaiawmoit as CEM. We will also discuss the questions raised by the UDP against the style of functioning of the CEM,” Kharkongor, who is Executive Member in charge of Trade, said.