Shillong: The Hynniewtrep Youth Council is bracing for a fight. President Roy Kupar Synrem announced that the organization will back churches and religious institutions if the proposed Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026, hinders their charitable work. The bill reached the Lok Sabha on March 25 and sits on the agenda for the monsoon session. Synrem says the group is monitoring developments closely.
Confusion remains at the top. Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong admits the National People’s Party does not know if the federal government kept its word regarding changes to the bill. Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma led a delegation to meet Union Home Minister Amit Shah, who promised that religious work would remain unaffected. Tynsong says the party cannot confirm if these assurances reached the final text. He noted, "The Government of India assured the delegation that the clauses of concern would be amended."
Political pressure is rising across the Northeast. Mizoram’s government and opposition parties are already rallying against the bill unless specific protections are included. The NPP remains on the fence, waiting for proof that their requested adjustments were adopted before committing to a vote.
Meanwhile, the HYC shifted focus to the Governor’s office. Synrem met with Governor CH Vijayashankar at Lok Bhavan to demand action on five specific crises. The organization wants a permanent Narcotics Control Bureau zonal office to choke off drug trafficking routes linked to the Golden Triangle. They argue current rehabilitation efforts fail without dismantling the supply chain.
The memorandum also demands the enforcement of a 44 percent reservation for Scheduled Tribes in central government jobs within the state. Furthermore, the HYC is calling for the removal of alleged illegal settlers from Defence land at Lum Survey, citing concerns over immigration and crime. Finally, they are pushing for an 80:20 female-to-male ratio for nursing officers at NEIGRIHMS to protect patient privacy in specialized wards. The Governor promised to raise these matters with the relevant Union ministries.
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