HSPDP threatens office picketing from May 13

FROM A CORRESPONDENT

SHILLONG, May 6: The rally called by the Hill State People’s Democratic Party (HSPDP) to pressurize the state government to formulate a law to empower the Rangbah Shnongs in the wake of the High Court Order to strip their authority has threatened to call for “office picketing” from May 13.

It may be noted that the HSPDP had given the government a week’s time to resolve the stalemate even as it threatened to agitate if it fails to meet their demands.

At the end of the public rally today held at Students’ Field Jaiaw

which was attended by Rangbah Shnongs (Headmen) from all over Khasi Hills and Ri-Bhoi a resolution was taken to call for a week’s office picketing if the government does not pay heed to their demands.

“Our deadline ends on May 12 and the office picketing will start from May 13 and we expect you the citizens who will volunteer to see that our agitation is successful,” HSPDP vice-president Ardent Miller Basaiawmoit told the gathering. Basaiawmoit also lamented certain reports that suggested HSPDP and KHM- of trying to take political mileage out of the High Court ruling on Rangbah Shnong.

“I am disappointed to see reports which accused us of taking political

mileage out of this issue,” the HSPDP leader said. At the public rally, Basaiawmoit also thanked the Meghalaya High Court for passing the order to strip the powers of Rangbah Shnongs saying that this has given the opportunity streamline the role of the traditiol institution through a law.

He also said that giving consent to the Village Administration Bill, 2014 by the government is the only way out of the present imbroglio. Moreover, during the rally Basaiwmoit also touched upon two other contentious issues-Inner Line Permit (ILP) and uranium mining. “The HSPDP still stands on its demand that the ILP should be implemented in the state as for uranium mining we will never allow it,” Basaiawmoit said.