SHILLONG, Dec 15: With the demand for separate Khasi-Jaintia and Garo states having reverberated in the national capital for two days, United Democratic Party (UDP) working president Paul Lyngdoh on Thursday said that he does not endorse the demand, while contending that the bifurcation of Meghalaya can further precipitate more complications.
“The demand for the Khasi-Jaintia state is not feasible at all. Even now there are so many problems when we are still together with the Garos. Therefore, this demand for a separate state will create more complications rather than solving it,” Lyngdoh argued.
Observing that the creation of a Khasi-Jaintia state might bring in major stumbling blocks in drawing the territorial jurisdiction of various Himas, Lyngdoh said there will be claims and counter-claims over the jurisdiction of the areas falling under various Himas.
He recalled how he was severely criticised for endorsing the demand for a separate Gorkhaland.
“I had supported it since it was one of the oldest demands which the Centre is yet to concede,” Lyngdoh reasoned.
While referring to governance in the state, he said that Meghalaya should have been one of the best-governed states in the country since there are 60 MLAs for a population of more than 30 lakh people.
“We have the best ratio in terms of MLAs and the number of population. The population of our state is equivalent to the population of one district in Uttar Pradesh. We can expect how the district in UP would have progressed if they would have had 60 MLAs to represent them,” Lyngdoh said, arguing that Meghalaya is not growing due to this inherent problem.
When asked that the demand for a separate Khasi-Jaintia state is gaining momentum in view of the reluctance of the government to review the State Reservation Policy, Lyngdoh said it is important to understand that the reservation policy is based on government notification.
According to him, the reservation policy is only an order which was approved by the Cabinet and notified by the Chief Secretary. “It is not a bill which was placed and approved by the State Assembly and then became an Act after getting assent of the Governor,” the UDP working president said.
He further reiterated that the reservation policy should be population-based.
“When you are dividing two segments, you have 36 Assembly constituencies in Khasi-Jaintia Hills region and 24 Assembly constituencies in Garo Hills region. The same yardstick should be applied while preparing the reservation policy,” Lyngdoh said.
When asked if there are questions being raised about the roster system adopted by the government as per the directive of the High Court of Meghalaya, he said that the court can pass any order.
“It is the duty of the state government to challenge any decision of the court if they are not agreeing with it,” the UDP working president said.
It may be mentioned that the coordination committee of Garo National Council (GNC) and Hill State People’s Democratic Party (HSPDP) have joined the Federation of New State Demand Committee to pursue their demand for a separate Khasi-Jaintia and Garoland states.
The leaders of GNC and HSPDP had also taken part in a two-day sit-in at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi, which concluded on Thursday.