SHILLONG: The Khun Hynniewtrep National Awakening Movement (KHNAM) has released its Vision Document 2017 with an aim to check influx, unemployment and resolve Meghalaya’s boundary disputes.
The document was released at its Jaiaw office, which was inaugurated by party’s general secretary Batkupar Wahlang on Monday.
Recalling the days leading to the formation of KHNAM, working president Adelbert Nongrum said, “KHNAM is an offspring of KSU and was formed under Paul Lyngdoh as all political parties had failed to deliver their promises.” “The state was directionless (at that time). (U) KHNAM (the arrow) has to reach the target, which was a long-pending aspiration of the people,” he added.
The ‘Mission with a Vision’ for Meghalaya specifies, among others, the need to check influx of illegal immigration and unemployment and resolution of state boundary disputes.
Stressing that KHNAM was not just a political party but also a movement, Nongrum said the vision document was clear as the regional party aimed at creating a movement in the State as well as in the district councils.
“After 45 years of statehood we are reduced to a minority because of the self-centeredness of the leaders.” “It is high time we create a road map for the state. There are no policies on youth, tourism and sports. They should have brought about (such) policies,” he added.
Nongrum said till date the State did not have a true legislator, as politicians had forgotten the Assam-Bangladesh boundary issue which had not been resolved.
THS Bonnie, KHNAM’s MP candidate, said, “One day, we will bring about change in the State. We will get 36 (seats). Goal is for KHNAM to rule (the state) one day.”
He said he had toured several places in Meghalaya where he found that even Khasis did not possess Elector’s Photo Identity Cards (EPICs), particularly in border areas such as Sahsniang and Sahphai in West Jaintia Hills. Highlighting the importance of protecting history, culture and language, Wahlang proposed the idea to include Khasi language in the Eighth Schedule.
The general secretary further observed that there was a need for an archive in the district council where old and new documents pertaining to history and culture could be properly maintained.
