The Awaken India Movement (AIM), Meghalaya state committee has set a seven days deadline for state Government to respond failing which the organisation threatened to reach the court.
The AIM has staged a protest in front of the Kiang Nangbah statue at Barik point amid tight security cover against the government’s insistence on Aadhaar card seeding for availing various government benefits.
Tensions escalated when the protesters attempted to march towards the Secretariat to submit a memorandum to the state government, leading to a violent scuffle as police intervened to stop their advance. As law enforcement tried to detain the protestors and escort them into police vehicles, they resisted, resulting in a brief but intense confrontation.
Despite the disruption, AIM representatives later met East Khasi Hills Deputy Commissioner R.M. Kurbah to voice their concerns.
Speaking to reporters, president of AIM Banshai Marbaniang said that the deputy commissioner has assured the delegation that she would immediately forward the memorandum with the Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma for necessary decision and action on the matter.
He also clarified that the AIM is not against Aadhaar enrolment but it is protesting against the government’s attempt to force people to enrol for Aadhaar in the state.
Marbaniang said, “A ruling of the Supreme Court had clearly mentioned that in states especially Meghalaya, Assam and Jammu & Kashmir, Aadhaar is not mandatory. Therefore, let people decide if they want to go for Aadhaar enrolment or not. Forcing is totally unacceptable in a democratic country.”
The AIM leader however accused the government of threatening to stop benefits to people including students, ASHAs, Anganwadi workers, MGNREGS job card holders, pensioners if they do not have Aadhaar.
“In view of this, we have decided to serve a seven-day ultimatum to the state government to resolve this issue failing which we will approach the High Court or Supreme Court (for justice),” Marbaniang said.