MSM convener slams delay in framing rules for implementation of Marriages Registration Act
SHILLONG: With the State capital lacking a suitable location like the Jantar Mantar in New Delhi, the Mait Shaphrang Movement (MSM) is finding it difficult to call their proposed hunger strike in protest against the delay in the framing of the rules for the implementation of the Meghalaya Compulsory Registration of Marriages Act, 2012.
The Bill had received the Governor’s assent on September 12, 2012.
MSM convener Michael N Syiem has reportedly been running from one place to another in his bid to select a suitable venue for the planned hunger strike.
Taking to newsmen here on Wednesday, Syiem admitted that it was difficult to find a suitable venue in the city to hold any peaceful demonstration.
“We need a place like the Jantar Mantar in Delhi. I do not want to hold the hunger strike near the Secretariat since I might face an arrest. With my arrest, the cause I am fighting for will be lost,” he said.
Syiem said that he would like to hold the hunger strike in a venue where people can participate in a peaceful manner without the fear of being arrested.
Syiem had, in August, given the government a two-month deadline to frame the rules for implementation of the Act.
However, with the deadline scheduled to expire next week, Syiem on Wednesday stated that he would go ahead with the hunger strike even though the venue was yet to be finalized.
Syiem informed that he had sought permission to hold the hunger strike either at Student’s Field, Jaiaw or the Malki football ground. However, the caretakers of both the venues denied permission to him.
Meanwhile, Syiem voiced his strong resentment over the failure of the Government to implement the Meghalaya Compulsory Registration of Marriages Act, 2012, even after two years of the enactment of the law.
Lambasting the government for not setting its priorities right, the MSM convener called for immediate implementation of the Act in view of the growing number of broken families in the State.
Syiem also demanded that the rules which have already been framed by the concerned departments and placed before the Mukul Sangma Cabinet for approval should be cleared at the earliest to pave way for implementation of the Act.