Party seeks to mobilise support to enforce eight-point demands
By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, April 22: The Voice of the People Party (VPP) on Wednesday called for large-scale public mobilisation, urging citizens to prepare to take to the streets of Shillong in “lakhs” for a proposed march to the Secretariat. The aim is to press the NPP-led MDA 2.0 Government to act on the party’s eight-point charter of demands.
Addressing a well-attended public meeting at Motphran, VPP president Ardent Miller Basaiawmoit declared the party would not remain passive if the government fails to respond. He stressed that agitation could escalate into widespread protests across the city, culminating in a march to the Secretariat.
“We will not wait until 2028. These demands are urgent and must be addressed immediately. If the government fails to act, our movement will intensify,” Basaiawmoit said, calling for active participation from all sections of society.
The rally drew thousands of supporters, providing a platform to highlight key concerns including land rights, unemployment, governance issues, and matters affecting teachers and youth.
Basaiawmoit urged citizens to take collective responsibility rather than relying on others to protest on their behalf, emphasising that unity is essential for meaningful change. He specifically called on students and job aspirants to join, especially on recruitment bodies such as the Meghalaya Public Service Commission (MPSC) and District Selection Committees (DSC).
“We must be ready to sacrifice whether it is time, work, or studies until we secure what rightfully belongs to us,” he said.
Reiterating the party’s stance, Basaiawmoit opposed service extensions for retired government employees, arguing such practices deprive youth of opportunities. He alleged some continue in service for years beyond retirement due to political connections.
On education, VPP demands exemption for long-serving teachers from the Meghalaya Teacher Eligibility Test (MTET) late in their careers, calling the requirement unjust.
On land rights, Basaiawmoit stressed protecting community land, especially Ri Raid land, and warned against rising transactions eroding indigenous ownership. Citing the Socio-Economic Census 2021, he noted only about 24 percent of the population owns land, underscoring the urgency.
While not opposing traditional institutions like Syiems, Sordars, and Rangbah Shnongs, he vowed resistance to actions harming community interests. He raised alarms over alleged large-scale land grabs in Them Marwet in Ri Bhoi and New Shillong Township.
Basaiawmoit accused the government of fostering division, influencing local institutions, and threatening democracy through unchecked power.
In a sharp remark, he cautioned that unchecked power could silence public voices. “If it has the power to buy, it will buy traditional heads, Syiems, and even journalists and ultimately silence the voice of the people,” he said.
The VPP chief highlighted illegal immigration concerns, noting decades of agitation since 1979 have yielded little. He called for identification via family records to distinguish genuine residents.
He demanded MPSC and DSC reforms, removing politically affiliated members for fairness. Basaiawmoit also pushed enhancing district council powers and legislative amendments to restore traditional authority and accountability.
Reaffirming VPP’s commitment, he pledged continued public engagement and statewide campaign expansion. Failure to meet demands would spark intensified agitation.
“The movement will not stop until our demands are fulfilled,” Basaiawmoit asserted.
