The Synjuk Ki Rangbah Kur ka Bri U Hynñiewtrep, an assembly of clan leaders, has put out a “working paper” that outlines recommendations for the government and the district councils to coordinate in order to achieve the state’s economic aspirations.
The suggestions, emailed to Chief Minister Conrad Sangma, focused on infrastructure development, fiscal management, human capital enhancement, collaborative initiatives and sectoral reforms.
Working president of the Synjuk Erwin K Syiem Sutnga at a press conference said the members of the district councils must understand the dynamics of working in tandem with the state government.
“This cannot be an arena of conflict. It has to be an arena and a system of cooperation. Therefore, because of this, we also emphasised that we need people who will serve, understand the needs of the poor, needy and all sections of the society who are struggling in their lives. MDCs like MLAs can bring a lot of change into the lives of people,” he said.
Meanwhile, Sutnga said that election campaigns to the Khasi and Jaintia district councils have become “fierce and aggressive,” and have “gone beyond the limit.”
“We have come here today to remind the voters, the tribal voters, that they have a responsibility to protect the foundation of the matrilineal society. There have been campaigns where they have said that we take the surname either from the mother or paternal grandmother. This goes against the matrilineal society because we have the concept of taboo, which are the degrees of separation. And these cannot be violated,” he said.
“Therefore people should deeply consider before they cast their votes to such candidates who make such statements,” he added.
Sutnga said candidates have to understand the importance of the Sixth Schedule and how to strengthen it. He lamented that election campaigns end in mudslinging and none have discussed the grave concern of drug addiction and the rising cases of HIV and AIDS in the state.
