SHILLONG, Feb 1? Khun Hynnniewtrep National Awakening Movement (KHNAM), a new regional party in Meghalaya, floated by the Khasi Students? Union (KSU), will make its debut in the forthcoming Assembly elections in the hill state. A list of 26 candidates of the party was released here on Friday by the KHNAM president and former KSU president Paul Lyngdoh, who is himself a candidate from Jaiaw and the best bet for the fledgeding party. Prominent among other candidates contesting on KHNAM tickets are former Home Minister J M Pariat, former MLA and prominent advocate G S Massar (ex-MLA) and Dapmain Kharmujai, a member of Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council.
Though the KSU hopes to emulate the all Assam Students? Union which too formed a regional party Asom Gana Parishad and rode to power, KHNAM leaders themselves are aware such a repeat is not possible in Meghalaya. A Khnam leader confided ?We only hope to make our presence felt in the state by becoing a partner in the process of forming a government.? The manifesto of the party which was released the same day, expectedly highlighted the influx problem and its consequences on the indigenous population. It stressed the need to implement the Inner Line Permit and work permit systems as a solution to the influx problem.
The 30-point manifesto promised to change the present reservation policy to provide full protection to the indigenous people. It also spoke of the need to review the Land transfer act to preserve the identity of the people. The policy statement of the party, which was also released on Friday, said that Hindu migrants who had infiltrated into the state after March 24, 1971, would not be treated as refugees but as illegal migrants. Expressing concern over the entry of people from other regions, the KHNAM said it would cause a serious demographic imbalance in the State. It proposed a three-tier photo identity card system and revision of the Inner Line Permit to counter this threat.