HITO (Hynñiewtrep Integrated Territorial Organization) flays MDA government

REPORTER

SHILLONG: The HITO (Hynñiewtrep Integrated Territorial Organization) ''is aghast at the manner in which the MDA government is trying to suppress the rights of the people to voice their opinion on various issues.''

HITO president Donbok Dkhar said on Friday, ''We have seen this time that once again the law has been subverted by the district administrations on numerous occasions. It seems odd that the benchmark for a violation varies from incident to incident.''

He said that ''the organisation would like to draw the attention of the people towards the recent notice served to the organizers of the gathering at Mawlai to protest the killing of surrendered HNLC leader Cherish Starfield Thangkhiew besides the thousands that attended his funeral.

''Surprisingly, the district administration has issued prompt show cause notices to several selective individuals and groups only.

''For example, no legislator who attended the funeral was questioned. Nor was it done with respect to scores of pressure group leaders who had attended the funeral and the protest rally,'' he said, adding that in fact, even our members and I too were present at the funeral to pay our respects to the departed soul. But no action has been initiated against us.

''Similarly, way back on April 29, 2006, the then Chief Executive Member of the KHADC (L) HS Shylla -- through a senior advocate -- had served a notice to (late) Hopingstone Lyngdoh -- the then legislator from Nongstoin, the then KSU president Samuel Jyrwa, Langrin Youth Welfare Association and John F Kharshiing for organizing public opinion against uranium mining in the State.

''We wonder if the swift action was in response to a complaint/s from any quarter or was it based on media reports and social media.''

He also said that notwithstanding that, the question here is, if in the past, prompt and strict action was initiated against violators, then why is it that now, the East Khasi Hills Deputy Commissioner -- a young and upright officer -- is sitting tight on a complaint of blatant gross violation of Covid protocols and SOPs by the BJP which had organized a booth-level meeting of 19-South Shillong Legislative Assembly at Assam Club in Laban on July 31.

He also said that BJP national general secretary and MP Rajya Sabha --Arun Singh, and also BJP NE general secretary (Organisation) amongst other senior party functionaries also attended the meeting.

''Does this mean that the government suppressed the DC by issuing an order through the Home (Political) Department letter No. POL.62/2003/Pt.II/47 dated July 29th, 2021 by granting permission?," he said.

''Why is the DC silent on this despite a formal complaint being lodged by HITO against the DC and SP for allowing the political event which had no relation to Covid-19 management or relief measures etc.?,'' he posed. The HITO has taken strong exception to this step-motherly attitude of the district administration in responding to complaints. The HITO has asked the district administration ''to take immediate and effective steps to address our complaint on the said violation, otherwise it would only indicate clearly that the district administration is merely a tool of the anti-people government of the day''.

Also Read: Hynniewtrep Integrated Territorial Organization (HITO) demands probe into violation of COVID protocols

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