SHILLONG:
Voice of the People Party (VPP) legislator from North Shillong Adelbert Nongrum said on Monday that the age of fighting with muscle power like the freedom fighters of yore is gone and now it is all about brains.
“Now we have to fight the fight with our brains, our talents that we have in our own capacity,” Nongrum said after paying tribute to the life size statue of U Tirot Sing Syiem at Madan Iewrynghep, here on the occasion of his 188th death anniversary .
The North Shillong MLA said that he believes that many more Tirot Sing Syiems will come up, especially during this time when the indigenous people are facing challenges on various issues.
According to him, Meghalaya has attained statehood 51 years ago but there are no provisions to protect the indigenous tribes of the state.
He said that it was U Tirot Sing Syiem who had a special love for his land and sacrificed for the motherland.
Nongrum also expressed his doubt over the future of the indigenous people of the state.
He also called upon those present to not only pay floral tributes to the statue of the Khasi freedom fighter but to also have the heart to fight like Tirot Sing Syiem, who fought against the might of the British.
He also said that among other issues the one on the uniform civil code (UCC) and railway should be opposed until a mechanism to protect the indigenous people of the state is adopted. The VPP legislator also said that inner line permit (ILP), is a must to protect the indigenous people of Meghalaya.
Nongrum also mentioned the issue of the reservation policy and roster system.
He also called for the unification of the indigenous people of the state.