KHM launches indefinite sit-in stir

From Staff Correspondent

Shillong, May 19: The Khun Hynniewtrep tiol Awakening Movement (KHM) has decided to embark on an indefinite sit-in demonstration to put pressure on the State Government to pass the Village Administration Bill (VAB) while its working president Adilberth Nongrum, who was released on bail by the court on Tuesday, has vowed to carry on with his indefinite hunger strike for the same purpose.

Addressing newsmen soon after the KHM working president was released from judicial custody on Tuesday evening, senior KHM leader James Ban Basaiawmoit said, “Our stand on the Village Administration Bill passed by the council is clear. We have started our sit-in demonstration at this venue with immediate effect”.

Describing the State government as “adamant”, Basaiawmoit said, “The State government is not keen to implement the bill. This is not just a KHM movement. We appeal all the people irrespective of party affiliations to join the programme that is crucial for the indigenous people of the State”.

“This indefinite demonstration is part of our endeavour to wake up the government from it slumber,” he stated.

The KHM leaders also opposed the ordince promulgated by the government to empower the traditiol institutions. Another leader of the party Latiplang Kharkongor said, “We are not going to accept it (ordince) because it encroaches into the domain of district council”. He also said that the VAB was framed on the basis and mandate provided by the Sixth Schedule of the Indian Constitution.  

Meanwhile, Adilberth Nongrum, the former Chief Executive Member (CEM) of the KHADC and working president of KHM has decided to carry on with his indefinite hunger strike. Soon after his release from judicial custody for a contempt of court case, Nongrum landed at his earlier fasting venue near Shillong Civil Hospital and decided to carry on with his strike. Nongrum’s arrest is not linked to the hunger strike that he undertook from Saturday. He claimed that during his stay at the Shillong District Jail, he continued with the hunger strike.