Fifth and Sixth Schedule may also be axed by Centre: HNLC

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaAugust 9, 2019

SHILLONG: The proscribed Hynniewtrep National Liberation Council (HNLC) has warned that the Fifth and Sixth Schedule to the Constitution of India may also be axed by the BJP-led NDA government at the centre.

“The false claims and assurances to protect article 371 and Sixth Schedule by the dictatorial Centre is just mere eyewash,” HNLC general secretary cum publicity secretary Sainkupar Nongtraw said in a statement issued here on Friday.

“It is article 370 now that has been axed. Later the fifth and the sixth schedule shall also be axed by these so called dictators without doubt. The Citizenship Amendment Bill (CAB) shall be the first shocker to the NE states and the fifth sixth schedule shall come next,” he alleged.

His statement came following the recent decision of the Centre to abrogate Article 370, which gives special status to Jammu and Kashmir.

Terming the abrogation of article 370 as a pure act of forced integration, Nongtraw said, “Taking away the people’s freedom, disconnecting them from the entire world is a sign of a dictatorship government. Now the NDA regime is not less than Adolf Hitler or Saddam Hussains regime.”

He however said there was no difference in Kashmir before the abrogation of article 370 in respect to the presence of the security forces, which had always enjoyed the freedom to shoot, violate human rights, arrest anybody under suspicion, and even make people disappear.

“The GOI (government of India) had always had a strong grip over the people of Kashmir by torturing them and crumple their aspirations to achieve an independent Kashmir. Even if Kashmir had special status the center (Delhi) had ruled it for six continuous years starting from the year 1990,” he said.

The HNLC leader further stated that if the political bigwigs can abrogate article 370 that was a brainchild of Jawaharlal Nehru, then 371, 5th, 6th schedule can be wiped out in a single announcement.

Stating that the people of Kashmir have no more faith in democracy, he said “This can happen to us also. It is the time for our people to wake up from slumber and identify the potential threats that are coming our ways. How long shall we sleep before our rights our lands shall be taken away.”

“This kind of forced integration is a time bomb that shall explode very soon with bloodshed everywhere. The dictators have ignited the fire of bloodshed that shall be the outcome after a greater resistance,” he said.

Meanwhile, Nongtraw said the Council stands in solidarity with the oppressed people of Kashmir whose long pending desire for freedom and self rule has yet again been brutally betrayed and murdered.