SHILLONG, JUNE 1: Former KHADC CEM and KHNAM vice president Adelbert Nongrum and his group decided to ‘withdraw’ the two weeks old indefinite hunger strike from Monday after the demand for an the ‘unchanged’ village administration bill did not materialized.
The decision to break the fast came a day after the Congress led PDF in the KHADC passed a ‘rectified’ KHAD (Village Administration) Bill, 2014 at a special KHADC session on Saturday.
“We have decided to withdraw our indefinite hunger strike as it has become meaningless to proceed after the KHADC has passed a rectified bill instead,” Nongrum told reporters on Sunday.
According him, the fast protest is to demand for original VAB and not a rectified one.
“So if we go ahead continuing our fast, it is like we are supporting this rectified bill passed by the KHADC,” he said.
Alleging that the PDF and state government has betrayed the people, Nongrum said, “We opposed the rectified VAB since it has become a weak bill, after the provisions which seeks to protect the indigenous community has been removed by the KHADC.”
Stating that the demands for a strong VAB have been defeated, he said, “By removing the two important clauses it has taken away the spirit of the bill to regulate entry of outsiders into the state.”
He also termed the rectified VAB as a mere bill which only give recognition and empower the traditional heads to simply issue certificates.
Stating the rectified VAB is to suit someone else interest, Nongrum said, “The rectified bill is to secured vote banks of politicians.”
Nongrum further questioned the Synjuk Ki Rangbah Shnong whether they are happy or not with the rectified VAB.
“The SRS should also make clear what they are demanding whether the original bill or the rectified one,” he said.
Nongrum, however, said the fight will continue against the rectified bill. “We will build up strategy by creating public awareness on the ills of the rectified bill before taking future course of action,” he informed.
On Saturday Nongrum was admitted in a city hospital after his health deteriorated. Nongrum, who will continue his fast till 2 pm tomorrow, will also be released from the hospital.
Along with Nongrum, Goldy Warjri was also hospitalized and is still under treatment in the Shillong Civil Hospital. – By Our Reporter
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