SHILLONG, Nov 3: The Hynniewtrep Youth Council (HYC) on Thursday asked the state government to fulfil their pending demands – ranging from implementation of Inner Line Permit to inclusion of Khasi language in the Eighth Schedule, among others —before the 2023 Assembly polls.
Recalling that the members of the council had discussed issues like ILP, Meghalaya Residents Safety and Security (Amendment) Act and recognition for Khasi language with Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong, HYC president Robert June Kharjahrin said these demands have been pending for long and asked the state government to take up these matters with the Centre.
He expressed disappointment that in spite of the resolutions passed in the Assembly, the Union Ministry of Home Affairs continues to remain dormant.
Citing the case of Manipur where the central government took only three or four months to study the demand and grant them ILP, Kharjahrin wondered why it was taking so long for the Centre to examine the demand for implementation of ILP in Meghalaya.
Both the states are indigenous where people need protection, he said.
The HYC president also asked the sixty MLAs to pursue the demands aggressively with the Centre.
He pointed out that by January next year, the model code of conduct would be in place and if that happens there is no guarantee that the resolutions passed by this regime will be taken forward by the next government.
Informing that Union Home Minister Amit Shah is likely to visit the state soon, the HYC president said they have demanded an audience with him for 10-15 minutes.
On the issue of corruption, he said they have asked the Deputy CM to upload the inquiry reports of the rice and MeECL scams in the public domain and warned that if they find any prima facie evidence of corruption they would move the court.
Pointing out that the law is the same for everyone, he wanted to know why a police official can be arrested but not the officials of MeECL and Social Welfare department.
Talking about the killing of former HNLC leader Cheristerfield Thangkhiew, the HYC chief said they will follow it up with the Home Minister.
He also said that he was unsure if the second phase of the interstate border solving process would be completed within 45 days as projected when Assam is yet to even constitute the regional committees.
Speaking on the issue of relocation of Harijan Colony residents, the HYC leader asked the MDA Government to relocate them before the end of their tenure.
Kharjahrin asked the government to provide rent allowance to the residents after they accept the government’s relocation proposal and allot the quarters to them once the construction is done.
“If the Harijan Panchayat Committee accepts the blueprint then the government should not wait till the construction is completed to relocate them. We want the government to give them some sort of rent allowance and let them stay wherever they want and after the construction is finished then they will be allotted quarters,” he said, making it clear that only legal settlers working in various government departments of the state should be relocated while illegal settlers should be evicted.
