SHILLONG: Former KHADC CEM and United Democratic Party (UDP) candidate elect for the MDC by-election from Nongkrem constituency, H.S. Shylla, has dared the HSPDP to sit for a ‘debate’ on five issues pertaining to the State.
“I want to challenge them to a debate in order for the people to know the truth that it is the HSPDP and not me who has been misleading them,” Shylla said while speaking to media persons here on Monday.
The former KHADC chief also asked the headmen of Nongkrem constituency to take part in the debate as a neutral observer and organize the open debate at Smit playground before the State government announces the dates for the MDC by-election.
Shylla’s dare comes after HSPDP Nongkrem Circle accused him of misleading the public on contentious issues of the State including uranium mining.
Shylla recalled that when he was the KHADC CEM, he had welcomed the offer made by the Union government via UCIL to construct a 20 km road from Wahkaji to Mawthabah since people were facing hardships owing to the absence of a proper road, even as he added that he had accepted the offer only after the assurance given by the then Governor M.M. Jacob that the road was not meant to facilitate uranium mining in Mawthabah.
He further said that the UDP Nongkrem Circle has gone to every nook and corner of the district council constituency to clarify and seek people’s opinion on issues concerning the Rangbah Shnong and the Dorbar Shnong including the importance of preserving the clans and the matrilineal society and to stand strong on Article 244 (2) which aims to empower the autonomous district council, besides refraining from Article 371 A and G like the Naga and Mizo communities.
“We also have clarified and stand strong in or commitment not to allow MUDA to encroach in the Sixth Scheduled area,” Shylla said.
Shylla, meanwhile, demanded that the Compulsory Registration of Marriage Act, 2012 should be done away with. He maintained that the Act will only help in tracking married couples but it cannot bar a man from leaving his wife and vice versa.
