SHILLONG : The Voice of the People Party (VPP) has issued a strong warning to the MDA government, demanding immediate action on an eight-point charter or face a march to the Secretariat in the coming days.
Addressing a massive public rally at Motphran, VPP president Ardent Miller Basaiawmoit said the growing public support reflects rising dissatisfaction with the state government’s policies and decisions.
The party’s key demand includes the immediate scrapping of the controversial Lumpongdeng Project. Basaiawmoit asserted that no project should be imposed without public consent, stating that the land of the people cannot be used for “experimentation, exploitation, or backdoor privatization.”
On education, the VPP strongly criticized the requirement for long-serving teachers to clear the MTET examination late in their careers, calling it unjust and demoralizing. The party also demanded the withdrawal of the Meghalaya Private College Act 2025, warning that it threatens the autonomy of grant-in-aid institutions.
The VPP further called for complete depoliticization of recruitment bodies such as DSC and MPSC, along with an end to service extensions for retired employees, which it said blocks opportunities for unemployed youth.
Raising concerns over land issues, the party demanded an immediate halt to leasing or selling public land to private entities and stressed that Autonomous District Councils must not be bypassed in land-related decisions.
Among other major demands, the VPP called for urgent action to stop illegal influx into Meghalaya and a transparent, time-bound mechanism to detect and deport illegal immigrants residing in the state.
Basaiawmoit pointed out that unlike Assam, Meghalaya lacks official data on illegal immigration, warning that eviction drives in neighbouring states could lead to spillover effects.
The party also opposed the setting up of new coke and cement plants, citing environmental and public health concerns.
On tourism and development, Basaiawmoit expressed opposition to high-end hotel projects and spa developments, stating that Meghalaya should instead focus on promoting local tourism that benefits the indigenous population and respects Khasi cultural values.
While acknowledging that the government has partially withdrawn the Lumpongdeng project from a specific area, he questioned the proposed 60–90 year lease period and demanded a thorough investigation into the executing agencies and alleged links with private players, including the Taj group.
Rejecting claims of politicizing the issue, Basaiawmoit stated that politics is about representing people’s concerns beyond elections.
He also clarified that the demand for detection and deportation of illegal immigrants is separate from voter list revision exercises, emphasizing the need for a dedicated and foolproof mechanism.
The VPP president made it clear that the party will not formally submit the demands in writing, alleging that the government does not respect such submissions. Instead, he said the government should take note through the media, warning that the party is prepared to intensify its agitation, including a march to the Secretariat.