NONGSTOIN, Dec 2: Raking issues such as the contentious ILP implementation in Meghalaya besides a host of others as well, five pressure groups united under the banner of Save Hynniewtrep Mission (SHM) took out a protest rally in Mawshynrut, West Khasi Hills, on Friday, to condemn the state government for not fulfilling their demands.
The SHM comprises Hynniewtrep Youth Council (HYC), East Jaintia National Council (EJNC), Jaintia Students’ Movement (JSM), Hynniewtrep Achik National Movement (HANM), and Confederation of Ri Bhoi People (CoRP).
The demands of the SHM include implementation of the Inner Line Permit (ILP), inclusion of Khasi language in the 8th Schedule of the Constitution, immediate relocation of the Harijan Colony from Them Iew Mawlong, review of the MoU signed under the first phase of border talks with Assam, punishment for the police officials involved in the killing of ex-HNLC leader Cheristerfield Thangkhiew, solution to unemployment, review of the office memorandum on job recruitment at the district-level among others.
SHM leader and HYC general secretary, Roy Kupar Synrem, said that it is nearly three years since the state government passed the resolution for implementing the ILP, but the central government is yet to implement the mechanism in Meghalaya.
On the state government’s decision to set up border outposts along the interstate border, the SHM leader pointed out that it is learnt that the outposts will be set up in villages and not the sensitive areas bordering Assam.
Synrem emphasised that the outposts should be fully functional with full authority and equipment so as to safeguard the people living in border areas.
