SHILLONG, Sep 6: In an expression of discord with the decision of the MDA Government, the Hill State People’s Democratic Party (HSPDP) has resolved to oppose the implementation of the Meghalaya Regulation of Gaming Act, 2021.
This decision was taken in the party’s central executive committee (CEC) meeting on Tuesday.
Talking to reporters, HSPDP president KP Pangniang said that the party, which is part of the NPP-led MDA coalition government, does not agree with the decision to implement the Act.
Pangniang said the party is concerned about the plan of the state government to set up casino at Khanapara area.
“We feel that the citizens at large are against the plan of the government to legalise online gaming in the state. The state government needs to review its decision to implement this Act,” Pangniang said.
The HSPDP president also reminded that many of the churches have strongly opposed the move of the government.
HSPDP vice president Martle N Mukhim, on the other hand, said the CEC has also resolved to oppose the proposed draft notification to implement Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) 1973 and Code of Civil Procedure (CPC) 1908 throughout the state.
Mukhim, who is also an Executive Member in the KHADC, said that the state government wants to issue the notification at the earliest but all three Autonomous District Councils (ADCs) have opposed the draft notification.
According to veteran politician Mukhim, this is not the first time that the state government is trying to encroach into the schedule areas which fall under the jurisdiction of the ADCs.
This move to implement the CRPC and CPC throughout the state, he said, will dilute the powers and authority of the district courts and traditional village courts.
Further, the HSPDP also announced senior youth leader of the party Sanjied Kynsai Shangrit as the HSPDP candidate from Nongstoin constituency for the upcoming 2023 polls.
Manifesto
The HSPDP has decided to incorporate some of the relevant issues that have of late been known to afflict the state in their party manifesto.
This was also decided in the party’s CEC meeting.
Party president KP Pangniang told reporters that the party manifesto is likely to be released by the first week of October.
According to him, the core issues like resolving the long-pending interstate boundary dispute and demand for a separate Khasi-Jaintia state will continue to find prominence in the party manifesto for 2023 Assembly polls.
He said that the people are yet to understand the importance of the demand for a separate Khasi-Jaintia state.
“But we will continue to highlight this issue since we know that the creation of separate Khasi-Jaintia state will be in the best interest of our people,” Pangniang said.
Meanwhile, he said that the need to resolve the border dispute will continue to feature in HSPDP’s manifesto although the government is trying to find a permanent solution to the vexed issue.
“We will not stop till there is permanent settlement to this long-pending issue,” the HSPDP president said.
He said that the amendment of Para 12 A (b) of the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution will be incorporated in the manifesto, while adding that with the said amendment, the Mines and Mineral (Development and Regulation) Act 1957 can become a state Act.
Other issues that are likely to be highlighted in the manifesto include inclusion of the Khasi language in the Eight Schedule and the implementation of Inner Line Permit in the state.
Pangniang also said that the party will highlight the need to give special focus to address the problem of unemployment among the youth, besides giving special impetus to uplift the agriculture sector.
Founding prez’s bust to be unveiled on Sept 26
The bust of the founding president of Hill State People’s Democratic Party (HSPDP), Hoping Stone Lyngdoh, will be unveiled by the party at Mawphanlur, West Khasi Hills, on his 7th death anniversary on September 26.
Talking to reporters after the CEC meeting of the party, HSPDP chief KP Pangniang said the party feels a need to give befitting tribute to its founding president as it celebrates 54 years of existence since its inception in 1968.
According to Pangniang, Hoping Stone Lyngdoh is one of the tallest leaders of the Khasi-Jaintia community.
“There is no better occasion to remember the political stalwart who was in the forefront during the hill state movement,” he said.
