SHILLONG: The Hynniewtrep Youth Council (HYC) has decided to put pressure on the state government to implement the Inner Line Permit (ILP) to curb influx of illegal immigrants into Meghalaya.
Addressing a gathering at the oath-taking ceremony for the newly elected central executive committee members at U Soso Tham Auditorium here on Saturday, new HYC President Robertjune Kharjahrin said HYC will continue to demand for the immediate implementation of ILP and other strong anti-influx laws for dealing with the problem of influx and illegal immigration.
The council will also demand policies to address issues related to unemployment and environment.
He even made it clear that the group is willing to cooperate with the government on issues concerning the indigenous community but will not hesitate to oppose it if its functioning is found to be not in the interest of the tribal populace.
“We will not allow our leaders to misuse their power and to mislead the people of the state,” Kharjahrin said.
Urging all HYC members to be prepared for the worst, the new leader said, “We will never know in the days to come, the jail may become our guest house but we will not allow this to kill the spirit of fighting for the cause of the Hynniewtrep.”
Opposing the idea of one India one culture, Kharjahrin, who is also a former general secretary of the council, said, “This is because India is a diverse country and the need of the hour is to respect each other.”
The HYC leader urged government employees to cooperate with the NGOs on various issues while hailing the decision of their counterpart in Assam to support NGOs in saying no to the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2016, proposed by the Centre.
“If government employees in Assam can come forward and say job is not above motherland, there is no harm for our government employees, including ministers, MLAs and MDCs to extend support on issues affecting our community,” he said.
Earlier in his speech before administering the oath to new leaders, outgoing president of HYC Peter Lawai urged the new body to take up social issues like drug abuse that is affecting the youth.
Slamming the government for its failure to address this issue, Lawai said even police tend to treat drug addicts as criminals instead of addressing the root cause of the problem.
The function was also attended by KHNAM legislator from North Shillong Adelbert Nongrum, UDP senior working president Bindo M Lanong, UDP working president and former MLA of West Shillong Paul Lyngdoh and others.
