SHILLONG, Jan 21: Slogans such as “No ILP, no rest”, “Solution to border issue,” “MDA government down, down” etc reverberated Shillong thoroughfares on Friday as some pressure groups marched towards the Malki ground to extend their support to KHNAM MLA, Adelbert Nongrum who is protesting against the government for non-fulfillment of various 
demands.
Waving black flags and holding placards, the pressure groups marched through various locations to converge at the Malki ground.
The members of one of the groups, Hynniewtrep National Youth Movement, were stopped by the district administration near FCI godown, Mawlai Nongmali. But when they assured that they would not pass through the venue of golden jubilee celebration of statehood at the Polo grounds, they were allowed to proceed.
The black flag march was held in protest against the state government’s failure on issues such as the implementation of Inner Line Permit (ILP), inclusion of Khasi language in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution, unresolved border issue with Assam, unemployment, shifting of Harijan Colony, absence of roads in villages, lack of health care facilities in various PHCs and CHCs, lack of drinking water and erratic power supply.
The protest was also over allegations of rampant corruption in various departments and irregular appointments of consultants in various departments.
At the Malki ground, the speakers questioned the government on the delay in fulfilling the demands of the people.
“I had raised the issues umpteen times in the Assembly. I went through proper channels but all I got was assurance. Therefore, I was compelled to go for the sit-in demonstration,” Nongrum said.
He lamented that he missed the celebration at the Polo grounds. At the same time however, he said he was at the Malki ground to raise issues of the people and the state and it was a pleasure to be among people.
Lauding Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma for relaxing the upper age limit for government jobs which was one of his demands, he said his other demands are equally important and he is hopeful they will be fulfilled by the government.
Reacting to the statement of Deputy Chief Minister, Prestone Tynsong that he (Nongrum) is enacting a drama, the MLA said people will pass the judgment.
“I don’t think I am playing any political drama. We have completed 50 years but we couldn’t solve the pending issues,” he said.
He disclosed that the sit-in demo will end on Saturday but added he will continue to pursue the issues with the government.
He had submitted a five-point charter of demands to the CM last week. The demands included revision of the state’s reservation policy, separate IAS cadre for Meghalaya and enhancement of the upper age limit in appointment to government jobs.
TEACHERS PROTEST
The SSA teachers also held a black flag sit-in and candlelight vigil at Khyndailad on Friday.
The teachers, who converged under the banner of Meghalaya SSA Schools’ Association (MSSASA), threatened to intensify their agitation if the government fails to release the pending salaries of three months by Friday midnight.
MSSASA president, Aristotle C Rymbai said RTI information received from the Ministry of Education on January 14 revealed the Centre had on November 9 last year released Rs 59.34 crore for payment of salaries to the SSA teachers.
The RTI information also revealed the Centre again released Rs 73.51 crore and later Rs 202.2 crore as financial assistance for payment of the SSA teachers’ salaries, he said.
“We would like to know as to why the government was not able to release the salaries when the Centre already released the funds,” Rymbai asked.
“We are holding this protest for non-release of Rs 104 crore. This additional amount is to be borne by the state government on capping norms of Samagra Shiksha apart from the 10% state share with regard to financial support for payment of SSA teachers’ salary lying with the state government for the last three years,” Rymbai said.
He said Rs 104 crore is sufficient to pay the pending salaries of three months.
On the regularisation of the services of the SSA teachers, he said the association has already taken a decision to approach the Meghalaya High Court.
“The RTI information from the Ministry clearly mentions that the regularisation of SSA teachers under Samagra Shiksha is the responsibility of the state government. We have a series of documentations and evidence to prove that it is the duty of the government to regularise the services of the SSA teachers,” Rymbai said.
