Calling for greater unity among the indigenous people of Meghalaya, Voice of the People’s Party (VPP) president Ardent Miller Basaiawmoit on Tuesday urged citizens to participate in the party’s proposed march to the State Secretariat on August 6, describing it as a peaceful democratic protest against what he alleged were the anti-local, anti-poor and divisive policies of the NPP-led Meghalaya Democratic Alliance (MDA) government. He said the march was intended to send a strong message that the people would no longer remain silent over issues affecting the State.
Explaining the purpose of the proposed march, Basaiawmoit said Meghalaya was grappling with numerous problems that had caused “untold sufferings” to its people. He alleged that the State government had pursued “anti local policy, anti poor policy, the prevalence of corruption, the divisive policy, degradation and destruction of environment in the name of development, atrocities against the citizens of the state,” adding that these issues had fuelled growing public frustration and resentment.
“There are countless and problems that the state of facing, which has resulted in the untold sufferings of the people. This peaceful march represents the frustration, the opposition, dissatisfaction and anger of the people against the MDA Government for its anti local policy, anti poor policy, the prevalence of corruption, the divisive policy, degradation and destruction of environment in the name of development, atrocities against the citizens of the state. and the list can go on and on,” Basaiawmoit said.
Appealing to citizens to join the protest, the VPP president said it was time for people concerned about Meghalaya’s future to unite and collectively demand a change in governance.
“It will take a lot of time for me to explain each and every problem that the state is facing today. Therefore, I appeal to all the right thinking people and all those who are concerned about the future of the state especially those affected by these policies to join us in this peaceful march in order to send a very strong message to the government that enough is enough. The government must stop these policies which are against the interest of the local indigenous people. Now it’s time for us to unite to ensure brighter future of our state,” he added.
