Prominent social activist, Rev. PBM Basaiawmoit passed away today.
Basaiawmoit had led campaigns against uranium mining in Domiasiat and was vocal to issues concerning the indigenous people and Christians of State and the country in general.
In the mid-1980s, he was the chairman of the KJP Synod Jingiaseng Samla and as president of the Heritage, Environment and Status Protection Organisation. He has served as convenor of the Khasi Jaintia Environment Protection Council. In 2013 he served as vice president of the National Council of Churches in India.
He also contested the Shillong Lok Sabha seat in the 2009 and 2014. Ahead of the election he presented a 15-point manifesto, which included opposition to anti-conversion laws, creating smaller states, repeal of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Acts, demanding extension of the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution of India to all the tribal areas across the country, advocacy for rights for Christian Dalits, review of RTE Act, reform of legislation on foreign funding for NGOs, review of the Look East Policy, right to informed consent of local populations prior to launching natural resource projects and introduction of the right to recall elected officials.
