‘Mr 12 A’ relevant in State-KHADC power struggle

SHILLONG: HSPDP supremo HS Lyngdoh, who breathed his last on Saturday, was called “Mr 12 A” by his contemporaries as he was against the supremacy of State Government over rules enacted by the District Councils.
In the context of the current power struggle between the State Government and the KHADC, the stand of the late leader assumes significance.
The HSPSP leader had demanded the deletion Paragraph 12 A of the Sixth Schedule to the Constitution which, however, was not favoured by many leaders.
As per 12 A, any legislation formulated by the Autonomous District Councils (ADCs) will not stand if it comes into conflict with the laws passed by the State Government.
“From 1970s, he had campaigned for the deletion of Para 12 A. But nobody listened to him. The leaders of those days called him Mr 12 A and not as Bah Hoping due to this,” said D. Lyngdoh, the nephew of the late leader.
“Hoping Stone was also the proponent of article 371 as he wanted special provisions for Meghalaya in line with Nagaland and Mizoram,” Lyngdoh added.