North Shillong MLA Adelbert Nongrum who has decided not to celebrate the golden jubilee of Meghalaya’s statehood has today embarked on a sit-in protest at Malki Ground here.
Speaking to media persons at the protest site, Nongrum recalled the five demands he had made to Chief Minister Conrad Sangma a few days back. He also said that his protest would end on January 22.
“It’s not that I am against the government but I am not satisfied with the statehood celebration. What is there to celebrate? The State and the people are suffering. Many contentious issues are yet to be resolved,” he said.
According to Nongrum, the protest is to remind the State government that it needs to show sincerity on addressing the problems of the State.
Nongrum had five days ago submitted a memorandum to Chief Minister Conrad Sangma containing demands which included review of the existing reservation policy on employment and higher studies, relaxation of upper age limit for government jobs, shifting of settlers from Sweepers Colony, solution to boundary dispute and bifurcation of joint-cadre system with Assam.
He also said that review of the reservation policy is urgently needed since it affects the efficiency in government service and administration.
On the boundary issue, he said that border residents are suffering from insecurity due to continued harassment by Assam.
“I know it is not easy to resolve the issue overnight but the government should show its sincerity to solve the issue,” Nongrum said.
