SHILLONG, Nov 15: The Central Executive Committee (CEC) meeting of the Hill State People’s Democratic Party (HSPDP) on Tuesday resolved to push forward its demand for separate Khasi-Jaintia and Garo states in its 2023 Assembly election manifesto.
Besides the bifurcation demand, issues like resolution of the interstate border issue, amendment of para 12 a(b) of the Sixth Schedule and language recognition, among others, will also feature in the manifesto which will be released soon.
HSPDP president KP Pangniang said the party has unanimously resolved to be a permanent member of the National Federation of New States (NFNS) which is a conglomeration of people demanding new states and has stakeholders in Tripura, Gorkhaland (West Bengal) and Karbi Anglong (Assam).
Pangniang said NFNS members will hold a joint meeting in West Khasi Hills on November 30 to reaffirm their demand and support each other in raising the voice for separate states during the winter session of the Parliament. “The CEC also discussed issues concerning the party and our demand to amend para 12 a(b) of the Sixth Schedule, recognition of Khasi language, implementation of ILP in the state, demand for a final settlement of the long-pending interstate border dispute and scrapping of uranium mining plans,” he said.
“We will release the manifesto after finalising the issues with the party office bearers,” he added.