Shillong: Hynniewtrep Integrated Territorial Organization (HITO) fired back at Chief Minister Conrad Sangma on August 26 after he labeled political opponents as outsiders. The group issued a statement condemning the remarks made in the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly. They argued that voting patterns do not determine a person's citizenship or local status.
HITO rejected the idea that elections act as a referendum on belonging. The group warned the government against weaponizing political ancestry. "An election is a contest between political parties, not a referendum on who belongs to the state," the organization stated.
The group also shifted focus to the Shree Cement project. They raised alarms about the company's past regulatory battles. The Competition Commission of India hit the firm with a Rs 397.51-crore penalty in 2012 for cartelization. Though the penalty faced a judicial stay, the commission reaffirmed the findings in 2016. HITO also pointed to 2023 reports alleging Rs 23,000 crore in tax evasion.
HITO insists they are not anti-development. They want accountability instead. They argue that Meghalaya needs protection for its rivers and land alongside new jobs. The group finished their statement with a clear warning: "Meghalaya must develop—but Meghalaya must survive."
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