JOWAI: Various village heads, Rangbah Shnongs, Village Secretary and NGOs including the Jaintia People Movement Forum (JPMF), Jaintia Youth Federation (JYF), the Jaintia Students’ Union (JSU), FKJGP, HNPF, HANM and AJYWO raised their voice in protest against the JHADC ‘Delimitation bill’ in a public meeting held at Iawmusiang, Jowai on Thursday.
The ‘Delimitation bill’ was approved by the house during the last winter session on November last.
The public meeting also resolved to ask the State government not to implement the delimitation bill and urged the Governor of Meghalaya, KK Paul not to assent the proposed Delimitation bill as approved by the house in Jaintia Hills Autonomous District Council (JHADC).
Village Secretary Kyndongtuber, Shiva E Siangshai addressing the public meeting, he informed that the proposed delimitation bill was made not for the interest of the people but for the vested interest of the rulling members in the JHADC.
“In the newly proposed delimitation bill, my village was bifurcated into two parts, between 9-Nongjngi and 16- Shangpung”, he said adding that the bifurcation of Kyndongtuber as per the proposed delimitation bills can never be accepted by the Dorbar Shnong.
Headman of Mookaswan, Bloin Shylla informed that his village was also bifurcated into two parts. Mookaswan falls under 5-Mukhla-Wahiajer as per the proposed delimitation bill. He informed that Ladmynkseh, a locality with only 17 voters was bifurcated and attached to 7-Nangbah constituency.
“We are the one who elected them (MDCs) and if they fail to listen to what we demand, we should teach them a lesson”, said Borato Rangbah Shnong, Aibor Shadap. Shadap has demanded that the Delimitation bill should be scrapped.
Various NGOs leaders including, JSU president, Rikut Parien, JPMF president, Baitlang Pohsngap, beside other leader of the JYF, FKJGP, HANM, AJYWO speaking in the public meeting has threatened to take the matter to the court if the JHADC go ahead with the proposed delimitation bill.
“The Delimitation bill was against the very essence of delimitation as it violates the spirit of delimitation”, Pohsngap said adding that the bill was brought before the public without any prior deliberation.
