Raphael Warjri

The President of the Voice of the People Party, Ardent Basaiawmoit, stated that the party would launch a series of agitations against the MDA-II government, beginning with a public rally at Motphran on April 22, 2026. He said that the proposed agitation would be anchored on eight core demands.

Ardent Basaiawmoit said that the foremost demand was for the scrapping of the proposed project at Lumpongdeng, asserting that the move was necessary to safeguard land and protect the environment. He pointed out that the issue had already gained momentum through the efforts of the Green-Tech Foundation, which was currently staging a hunger strike at Madan Malki to pressurise the government to revoke the lease of the site for the proposed Taj Umiam Resort and Spa.

The VPP President while  demanding transparency and autonomy in the functioning of the District Selection Committees as well as the Meghalaya Public Service Commission in matters relating to recruitment added that the party was also seeking the protection of teachers’ rights by calling for the withdrawal of policies deemed detrimental to their interests.

Basaiawmoit said that the VPP was also pressing for a halt on the re-employment of retired personnel in order to create opportunities for the youth. He emphasised the need to safeguard community land and to curb the alleged illegal trade of land and sand.

He further stated that the party was demanding stringent measures to check illegal infiltration and to ensure the safety of residents living in border areas. 

He added that the VPP was also calling for the closure of coke and cement factories in the interest of environmental protection and public health, besides demanding the identification and deportation of illegal immigrants.