HSPDP to honor hill state leaders, volunteers next month

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaOctober 12, 2021

The Hill State People’s Democratic Party (HSPDP) has decided to honor the hill state leaders and volunteers of the party for their contribution towards attainment of Meghalaya statehood.

Addressing media persons after chairing a CEC meeting on Tuesday, HSPDP president KP Pangniang informed that the felicitation programme will be held on November 10.

“As Meghalaya is all set to celebrate its 50^th year of statehood next year, we feel it appropriate to felicitate the hill state leaders and volunteers of the party who fought bravely and dedicatedly to ensure Meghalaya attained its statehood as we cannot ignore their contributions,” he said.

Pangniang recalled that the HSPDP under the leadership of late Hoping Stone Lyngdoh had opposed the creation of an autonomous state and instead demanded for a full-fledged state of Meghalaya.

“In 1970 when the then Prime Minister inaugurated the autonomous state of Meghalaya, thousands of volunteers with black flags raised their concerns that they needed a full-fledged state,” he said.

“Hundreds of members of the party were arrested and we have clear records that some of the volunteers arrested in Shillong, which was the then headquarter of Assam state, were jailed in Guwahati for a period ranging from three months to six months,” Pangiang said while adding that the party therefore wishes to felicitate and salute them as real fighters for Meghalaya statehood.

Meanwhile, the HSPDP leader further informed that the general council meeting of the party will also be held in the first week of December.

He said the decision was taken after the Election Commission of India has recently directed the party to furnish details of the new body as well as the names of the new office bearers.