7-day ultimatum to ‘stop forcing people for Aadhaar enrolment’
Shillong, Apr 9: An organisation named Awaken India Movement (AIM) has served a seven-day ultimatum to the state government to “stop forcing people for Aadhaar enrolment”.
The organisation pronounced the ultimatum during a protest staged in front of the Kiang Nangbah statue at Barik Point in the city amid tight security cover.
Meanwhile, a clash broke out between the police and the protesters as the latter tried to stage a protest march to nearby Secretariat.
Heavy traffic jams ensued as police and protesters were engaged in heated arguments.
Police picked up some protesters from the spot, but released them later following intervention of suspended VPP legislator Adelbert Nongrum, who was also part of the protest.
Later, AIM leaders submitted a memorandum to East Khasi Hills deputy commissioner RM Kurbah on the matter.
Clarifying that the organisation is not against Aadhaar enrolment, AIM president Banshai Marbaniang said the protest is against government’s “attempt to force people to enrol for Aadhaar”.
He alleged that the government had been threatening to stop benefits to people including students, ASHAs, Anganwadi workers, MGNREGS job card holders, pensioners if they do not have Aadhaar.
He also mentioned about a Supreme Court order that ruled Aadhaar is not mandatory in Meghalaya, Assam and Jammu & Kashmir.
Declaring a “seven-day ultimatum” to the state government to resolve the issue, Marbaniang also threatened to approach the court if the government failed to act as demanded.
