Staff Reporter

Shillong, Sep 11: The North East Indigenous Peoples’ Forum (NEPIF) Shillong Chapter which includes FKJGP, RBYF and HNYF during the meeting held on 9 September had decided to elect new members, in which Wellbirth Rani was re-elected as Chairman of NEPIF.

Other members of the NEPIF include Vice Chairman Bipul Thangkhiew, Vice Chairman Kitboklang Nongphlang, General Secretary Sadon K Blah, Assistant General Secretary Eldie Newton Lyngdoh and Augustine Sten, Joint General Secretary Wanpher Wahlang and Shanbor Rapsang and Spokesperson Dundee C Khongsit.

In the meeting the NEIPF had decided to oppose the idea of the central government under the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) to change the name from India to Bharat.

The Forum felt that the word Bharat is taken from the Sanskrit which is also related to the Hindu religion and this is just the sole purpose to force everyone in India to convert to Hinduism and this idea to change the name from India to Bharat is against the secularism and it will have negative impact on the indigenous people of the country.

The Forum had also decided to oppose the implementation of Uniform Civil Code (UCC) in Meghalaya and in the North East as this decision of the central government will have a negative impact on the rich culture of the indigenous people in the North East.

On the other hand a discussion was held on the rampant drugs abuse in Meghalaya and the Forum had decided to demand from the state government to implement the Prevention of Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances, (PIT- NDPS) Act 1988.

“We have seen the rise in petty crime in the state is due to drug abuse and what is worrying is that drug abuse has even reached the rural areas and this drug abuse has destroyed families and life of people,” said NEPIF spokesperson Dundee C Khongsit.

In this regard the NEIPF demanded from the state government to have a full-fledged Anti Narcitics Task Force (ANTF) like the SB and CID which will be headed by an officer in the rank Inspector General (IG) to deal with only in combating drugs in the state.

The Forum also demanded the Anti Narcotics Task Force (ANTF) in every district of the state should be headed by Superintendent of Police (SP) to combat drugs.