SHILLONG, DEC 7: The motive to have a three-day hunger strike by the anti-influx group – the Hynniewtrep Youth Council (HYC) today failed when its leaders and activists were evicted on ground that they were not permitted to hold the protest till tomorrow.
The district administration had granted permission for holding the hunger strike only till 4 pm, in view of the three-day winter session of the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly which will begin from December 8.
However, the activists of the HYC refused to call off the hunger strike held at the parking lot near the Additional Secretariat building even after the specified time allotted on ground that “it was a peaceful demonstration”.
District magistrates and police also attempted to negotiate with the leaders of the HYC, who were determined to continue the hunger strike before they were taken away from the venue in a bus to an undisclosed location.
Speaking to reporters, East Khasi Hills District Superintendent of Police (SP) Davis NR Marak said that the activists were not arrested but were only removed from the venue since they have defied the order issued by the district administration.
“We cannot allow them to continue the protest till tomorrow when there is Assembly session as we anticipate a lot of law and order problem,” Marak said even as he added that it is also difficult to monitor during night time.
Asked, the SP said that the district administration will take a call as to what action to be taken against the HYC for defying its order.
It may be mentioned here, the HYC has demanded the state government to pass an official resolution in the Assembly for implementing its 14-point of demands for strong anti-influx laws which include implementation of the Inner Line Permit (ILP) system in the state.
Earlier while speaking at the sidelines of the hunger strike, HYC president Peter Lawai said that there is nothing “illegal” in demanding protection for the indigenous community and what is wrong in holding peaceful protest.
“To say that because of the Assembly session, we are not allowed to have peaceful demonstration is just an excuse and is a clear attempt to trample our rights to defend the indigenous community,” he said.
On the other hand, HYC general secretary Robertjune Kharjahrin, who is also a lawyer by profession, said that the Council has defied the “unjust” order issued by the district administration.
“Nowhere in the country have we heard that citizens cannot exercise their democratic rights to freedom of expression when the parliament is in session or a state assembly sits,” he said.
He also maintained whether the district administration allows or not but the HYC will go ahead staging the hunger strike for three days.
By Our Reporter
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