Similar to the NSCN (IM) demand, now, Meghalaya’s Hynniewtrep National Liberation Council (HNLC) also wants ‘separate flag and constitution’ for the tribal Khasis.
The HNLC also demanded for its own ‘Parliament’ and a ‘Supreme Court’.
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In a Facebook post, Saiñkupar Nongtraw, general secretary-cum-publicity secretary of the outfit, said Khasi people should not forget that New Delhi always made laws which are not at all beneficial to the minority tribes.
“When you seek ILP (Inner Line Permit), the government gave CAB (Citizenship Amendment Bill), and instead of the VAB (Village Administration Bill), the government wants municipal election,” Nongtraw said.
The Facebook post by the HNLC leader comes a few days after the Centre extended the ban on the Khasi insurgent outfit.
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The Ministry of Home Affairs has extended the ban on the Khasi outfit on the ground of ‘increased activities of violence and other subversive acts in Meghalaya’.
“And as a result of New Delhi’s continued oppressive approach, we have seen one agitation after another on issues concerning the Khasi community,” Nongtraw said.
The insurgent leader said the HNLC would continue its struggle for a sovereign Hynñiewtrep state without any interference from forces, be it from inside or outside.
“Since India has a Parliament, Flag, Constitution and a Supreme Court, the Khasi people also should have their Parliament, Flag, Constitution and a Supreme Court,” Nongtraw said, adding, “And, this is equality that the HNLC is fighting for.”
The HNLC leader said the outfit believes that as long as the Jaitbynriew (indigenous community) remains within India, under its flag and constitution, tribal Khasis will never get their rights.
“We don’t believe that the battle we fight will remove all problems of the tribal Khasis immediately, but we promise to continue with our armed struggle to bring back the rights of our people,” he claimed.