SHILLONG: More than 200 people from the Khasi-Jaintia Hills region have joined the campaign against Aadhaar that was launched by the Meghalaya People’s Committee on Aadhaar (MPCA) on October 24.
In a statement released by MPCA, the organisation said as many as 226 people came to sign the documents for opting out of Aadhaar on Monday and around the same number have taken draft letters for getting signed by family members.
MPCA will facilitate sending the signed letters to the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI).
The ‘opt out campaign’ will continue depending on the response of people in the state, said MPCA members.
PBM Basaiawmoit, a member of MPCA, spoke to reporters at the KSU office in Jaiaw on Monday. He said the organisation is trying to reach out to as many people as they can and sensitise them about Aadhaar enrolment.
“People have come to take forms individually and will send the withdrawal letter to UIDAI. We will follow up on the letter sent by them to UIDAI and if it delays, we will approach the Supreme Court,” he added.
On opposition to Aadhaar enrolment in other states besides Meghalaya, Basaiawmoit said the Dimasa apex body in Assam and hill tribes in Manipur also objected to it.
Basaiawmoit also said a delegation from Garo Hills consisting of Rev. Goera M Sangma and Pastor James K Sangma from Tura, Pastor Armith Ch Momin from Kherapara and Doni Ch Marak from Garobadha said during a meeting with MPCA members that “they will facilitate the ‘opt out’ campaign in Garo Hills as well”.
MPCA will provide facilitation till Friday at the KSU office in Jaiaw between 11 am and 3 pm.
For those in South West Khasi Hills, they can visit the KSU office at Mawkyrwat between October 31 and November 3, the statement read. For residents of West Khasi Hills who cannot come to Shillong, MPCA may announce a date and venue.
