HYC to Launch Protests Over Govt Delay on Harijan Colony, MRSSAB Bill

Shillong, May 10: The Hynniewtrep Youth Council (HYC) held its central executive committee (CEC) meeting on Saturday and announced its decision to hold series of protests against the Meghalaya state government’s failure to address long pending issues that include relocation of the 342 families of Harijan Colony from Them Iew Mawlong and implementation of the Meghalaya Residents Safety and Security Amendment Bill (MRSSAB) 2020 to check illegal influx into the state.

Speaking to reporters today, HYC president Roykupar Synrem said, “We have decided to hold a series of agitational programmes against the government and its delaying tactics. We will not keep quiet. In the next few days, we will be organizing protests, details of which will be informed accordingly.”

Also read | Meghalaya Grows Dense Forests Fast Using Miyawaki Method, 25,000 Hectares Underway

Synrem said the issue of relocation of families residing in Them Iew Mawlong has been lingering on for the past 6-7 years.

The government had assured the people of the state especially from Khasi and Jaintia region that these residents will be relocated to other places. The government had already given them a certain plot of land and presented a blueprint on its proposal to construct housing flats but now all of a sudden other issues came up.

“Now, the government is finding another land by requesting the Defence ministry to provide land for relocation purposes. We find that this is nothing but a way to buy time. We are not ready to accept this delaying tactics of the government and we condemned this move and we demand the government to take necessary steps to relocate these people from this area,” Synrem stated.

On the delay to implement the MRSSAB, 2020 and ILP, the HYC president said, “We have seen the chief minister since 2023 has assured and informed us that the MRS SAAB has been returned to the state government and that the state government will be calling a meeting with all stakeholders. But since 2023 till date no such meeting has been called by the government on these two issues.”

Further, the HYC also questioned the failure of the Anti Narcotic Task Force (ANTF) to take action against NDPS cases in the state.

Also read | Meghalaya to Launch Statewide Drug Abuse Survey with UNODC Aid

Synrem said, “Since May 2, last year we have started our fight against drugs. Of course at the peak of agitation and our decision to march to the secretariat in November, the state government through a letter has assured to take necessary steps to implement the demands of the HYC which include setting up of a dedicated ANTF to deal with NDPS cases.

Despite having set up the ANTF in place, sadly till date not even a single case has been registered by the ANTF police station. The question is why the ANTF is not taking up necessary actions against NDPS cases.”

He alleged, “During the last week when we conducted raids against suppliers, we found that they are selling drugs in broad daylight especially in areas of Lum Survey, Jhalupara and other hotspots. No action has been taken against them.”

Slamming the government and the defence estate office (DEO), Synrem said, “On May 23, 2024, we conducted eviction drive at Lum Survey. The government and DEO have assured us that necessary actions will be taken against the illegal settlers. The question is not only about illegal settlers but we are also raising this concern that the Lum Survey is becoming a den for illegal activities including drugs. It is a hub for drug supply.”

Also read | Centre Moves on NEHU VC Row After BJP Minister’s Push

“We fail to understand why the state government is not taking action against these illegal settlers by demolishing illegal settling,” he stated.

(Newmai News Network)