Shillong, Nov 1: The Hynniewtrep Achik National Movement (HANM) is gearing up to hold a significant protest in New Delhi on February 25, 2025.
The protest, known as a dharna, aims to push the central government to address three key issues: implementing the Inner Line Permit (ILP) in Meghalaya, recognizing Khasi and Garo languages in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution, and resolving the long-standing boundary dispute with Assam.
According to the HANM implementation of the Eastern Bengal Frontier Regulation, 1873, is to protect the interests of indigenous people in Meghalaya.
The inclusion of Khasi and Garo languages in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution, is also a demand that has been pending since the Meghalaya Assembly’s resolution in 2018.
The HANM also wants early resolution of the border issue with Assam to ensure peaceful coexistence for indigenous people in Meghalaya.
According to HANM organizing secretary Gabriel Sohlang, the pressure group seeks to bring attention to these pending issues.
Sohlang highlighted that the Meghalaya Assembly had previously adopted resolutions in 2018 and 2019 to address these concerns ¹.
During their last protest in New Delhi in 2023, HANM met with former Rajya Sabha MP Rakesh Sinha and submitted a memorandum outlining their demands.
Sinha assured the group that he would take these issues to the Parliamentary Standing Committee for resolution ¹.
The dharna will take place at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi, and HANM hopes to spark meaningful action from the central government.
