Meghalaya village chiefs threaten to storm main secretariat

Tribal village chiefs in Meghalaya today threatened to storm the main secretariat early next month if the Mukul Sangma-led coalition government failed to fulfil their demands.
The announcement was made at a public rally which was attended by over a lakh people here coming from at least six Khasi Jaintia hills districts.
"We have resolved to demand from the government under leadership of Mukul Sangma and his ministers to fulfil our demands within November 4," Synjuk Ki Nongsynshar Shnong Ka Bri U Hynniewtrep (SNSBH) president Dr W Kharshiing said.
"In case our demand is not met, the SNSBH along with public and supporters will march again on November 5 to demonstrate in front of the main secretariat," he said.

Among the demands include immediate assent of the village administration bills by the Governor, reconvening of a special session of the Assembly to do away with the recently amended Prevention of Disqualification (Members of Legislative Assembly of Meghalaya) preventing an elected representative to hold dual post.
The tribal chiefs also demanded that the Meghalaya Urban Development Authority not extend its jurisdiction to scheduled areas except in municipal areas.

According to Kharshiing, the other demands are also for the government to issue notification to all SDOs/BDOs and other officers to respect the residential certificates from the headmen, who have been duly authorize by the KHADC Rules, 2015.

The rallyists also carried with them placards and banners as they shouted slogans condemning the Chief Minister and his cabinet ministers including Urban Affairs Minister Ampareen Lyngdoh, DCA Minister HDR Lyngdoh and Deputy Chief Minister in-charge Law Rowel Lyngdoh.
While there was no untoward incident due to tight security in and around the rally routes, hundreds of vehicles were stranded as all routes towards Lachumiere and Secretariat are closed for two hours.