NGOs raise black flags at NPP’s election campaign

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaFebruary 16, 2019

SHILLONG: Peeved with the delay of the NPP led MDA Government in resolving the border dispute, an umbrella of NGOs armed with black flags greeted Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong in a political rally in Nongstoin today.

Tynsong went to campaign for party candidate in Nongstoin for the MDC election scheduled for polling on 27th of this month.

Tynsong assured that the party would ensure the passage of the Village Administration Bill passed by the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC).

The Hynniewtrep Youth Council (HYC), West Khasi Hills Students’ Union (WKHSU), Western Youth Federation (WYF), Hynñiewtrep Achik National Movement (HANM) staged the black flag protest following the recent clash between villagers and Assam police at Umwali village, near Langpih along the inter-state border. Many villagers including women were injured during the lathi charge incident.

“We want to ensure that the Village Administration Bill becomes a law at the earliest,” Tynsong said

The Bill, which seeks to empower the traditional institutions and their heads, was passed by the KHADC in 2015 and is still pending for assent by the Governor till date. He said the state government had already returned the VAB to the KHADC for necessary rectification.

Tynsong also hailed the Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma for taking a bold stand and for successfully ensuring unity of the seven sister states against the contentious Citizenship Amendment Bill.

“We are lucky to have such a leader who was able to bring unity among the seven states,” he said while urging the people to support the NPP in the upcoming elections.