HS Shylla flays critics of new legislation at Shillong

Staff Correspondent

SHILLONG, July 27: Chief Executive Member (CEM) of the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) HS Shylla launched a scathing attack on the critics of the new legislation that proposed to bar a Khasi woman and her offspring born out of wedlock with a non-Khasi from Scheduled Tribe (ST) status and privileges.

Shylla, alongside with the new members of the new alliance known as the Khasi Hills democratic alliance (KHDA), met the State Governor on Friday to apprised him about the Bill that is awaiting the assent.

Speaking to the media after the meeting, the newly elected CEM of the KHADC said, “Our legislation is to ensure the protection of the Khasi race from all sorts of exploitation from those who use the present setup for all sorts of gains”. While critical viewpoints against the Bill have emanated in various mediums, especially when the KHADC is trying to push the legislation through, Shylla shot back by stating, “This is not a new issue to the genuine people and critics crops up from those people who believes to be international citizens with no concern about the Jaitbyriew (indeigeneous people).”

He named people like John F. Kharshiing, Agnes Kharshiing Angela Rangad. These named individuals happen to be frontline members of various pressure groups in the State.

Adding more to his fury against those critical of the Bill, Shylla said, the opponents are those who have no feeling of the Khasi blood in spite of the threat that the indigenous community has been facing. Shylla hopes that the other two district Councils in the State will follow suit. Teilinia Thankhiew, the lone member of the District Council who was part of the delegation to the Raj Bhavan, said, “The Bill is not against love marriage or any wedlock between a Khasi or others, our legislation is to check those who are in the use of exploiting the Scheduled Tribe status for benefits.” A special session of the KHADC is expected o be held soon to rectify any flaws pertaining to the Bill. The CEM is also expected to meet the Chief Minister on Monday.