SHILLONG : The Voice of the People Party (VPP) will take its campaign against the Meghalaya government to the gates of the Main Secretariat on August 6, saying the protest is meant to reflect growing public frustration over what it described as the government’s failure to act on several long-pending issues.
The decision was taken by the party’s State Executive Committee after months of public meetings held across Khasi and Jaintia Hills, where leaders gathered feedback on problems affecting local communities. The party has placed 10 demands before the government and said the upcoming march is only the beginning if those concerns continue to be ignored.
VPP president and Nongkrem MLA Ardent Miller Basaiawmoit appealed to Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma and every Cabinet minister to remain inside the Secretariat on the day of the protest.
“We want the government to witness the public’s anger for itself. People have been waiting for answers, and this march is meant to show that those concerns cannot be pushed aside any longer,” Basaiawmoit said. He made it clear that protesters would not attempt to enter the Secretariat and insisted the programme would remain peaceful.
“Nobody should try to create trouble. This is a democratic protest, not an attempt to create law-and-order problems. Our volunteers will remain alert throughout the programme,” he said.
Among the party’s major demands is the cancellation of the proposed Lumpongdeng project, with the VPP arguing that the area should be protected from development. The party also wants the government to issue a White Paper on the project, saying questions remain despite earlier assurances that the island would not be disturbed.
Employment issues will also feature prominently during the march. The VPP alleged that recruitment carried out by the District Selection Committees (DSCs) and the Meghalaya Public Service Commission (MPSC) must be transparent and free from favouritism. Basaiawmoit claimed the party had already submitted evidence to the Chief Secretary over alleged irregularities in recruitment under the West Jaintia Hills DSC and demanded that the process be cancelled.
The party is further seeking an end to the re-employment of retired government staff, arguing that vacant posts should instead be opened for unemployed youth. It also wants teachers to be spared from non-academic duties such as census and election work.
Environmental concerns form another key part of the agitation. The VPP reiterated its opposition to coke and cement factories, alleging that such industries threaten the environment and public health. It also called for stronger protection of community land, action against illegal immigration, safeguards for border residents and better livelihood opportunities for people dependent on traditional occupations, including coal mining.
Basaiawmoit said the party had repeatedly raised these matters with the government but little had changed, leaving it with no option but to organise a public demonstration.
“If the government continues to ignore these issues, our agitation will only become stronger. We are asking the people, especially the youth and women, to stand with us and make their voices heard,” he said.