SHILLONG: KHADC Chief Executive Member P.N Syiem’s delay in addressing a few contentious issues concerning the indigenous communities compelled KHNAM to withdraw its support to the People’s Democratic Forum (PDF).
Addressing a press conference on Monday, KHNAM president Pyndapbor Saiborne said the KHADC chief executive member took time to focus on the amendment of Section 128 of the Autonomous District Rules, the Village Administration Bill (VAB) and the MUDA encroachment.
“In terms of Section 128 of AD Rules, which has been pending since 2015, the CEM had said he would consult legal experts but it was delayed from time to time,” Saiborne said.
Saiborne alleged that under Syiem’s leadership, there was rampant issuing of trading licenses.
KHNAM working president Adelbert Nongrum said the KHADC demanded the cancellation of illegal trading licenses without verifying documents.
Nongrum pointed to the resolution placed in the House about the trading license, “This House does now resolve to ‘protest’ the executive committee for killing the spirit of the Sixth Schedule and violating the Trading by Non-Tribal, 1954. And in the final list they altered the word ‘protest’ to ‘protect’.”
Referring to the NOC on uranium mining, Nongrum claimed that he was against the decision to grant NOC to the road project.
After the KHADC office was gheraoed by members of KSU, the CEM yielded to the pressure, said Saiborne.
On the other hand, James Ban Basaiawmoit, MDC of the party, did not attend the KHNAM CEC meeting. Saiborne expressed hope that Basaiawmoit would agree to the decision of the party.
Commenting on the dual post of the CEM, Saiborne said it was his personal task. “What achievements did the Executive Committee secure? Another achievement is to divide the existing regional parties,” he added.