D.D. Lapang hands over the memento to P.R. Kyndiah in Shillong on Thursday. A Telegraph picture

Shillong, Jan. 22: Meghalaya observed its 38th Statehood Day yesterday. Speaking on the occasion, chief minister D.D. Lapang last night handed over silver plaques, eri stoles and bouquets to the leaders of the Hill State movement and the relatives of their dead comrades.

P.R. Kyndiah, 82, former Union tribal affairs minister and the oldest surviving member who fought for the statehood demand in 1952, said generations should remember that after the freedom movement it was perhaps one of the movements which had achieved its goal without bloodshed.

He, however, blamed the delay in getting statehood on the dilly-dallying tactics of Assam’s leaders.

The second oldest leader of the movement and president of the Hill State People’s Democratic Party (HSPDP) H.S. Lyngdoh, 81, said: “We are still following the joint Assam-Meghalaya IPS cadre system and demarcation of several areas of the border between Meghalaya and Assam is yet to be completed.”

Lapang said the slogan “We want Hill State, no Hill State no rest” formed the foundation of the movement.

Deputy chief minister Bindo Lanong recalled the sacrifice of the leaders who struggled to help Meghalaya achieve statehood. The son of Martin Narayan Majaw, John Kharshiing, said it was a humbling experience for the family to receive the citation on behalf of his dead father. Former minister Standlington D. Khongwir, former chief minister S.C. Marak, Albinstone M. Sangma and former minister Maysalin War were felicitated.