Shillong, Aug 20: Former KSU president Lambokstarwell Marngar on Thursday said the union will intensify its agitation for fulfillment of its five-point charter of demands, adding that the arrest of its leaders will not weaken it.
Marngar asserted that KSU is not limited to three leaders.
“KSU does not have only three leaders. It has many leaders from districts and the CEC. We are not afraid of arrests. You can arrest anyone, but the issues will continue,” he said.
He condemned the raid, alleging vandalism of the office and nearby houses and harassment of local residents.
“Three top leaders have been arrested. What we condemn is that after arresting them, they came and vandalized the office and also the houses nearby. This is unacceptable,” he said.
“Yes, the police have to do their duty, but it should be in a proper manner. There are headmen and youth clubs. The way they came to the locality was as if they were hunting militants. They used abusive language, threats and intimidation. Tear gas entered people’s houses and children were frightened,” he alleged.
He said the five demands are not new and the government should implement them instead of diverting the issues.
“This action of the government will not extinguish the fire but will add fuel to strengthen the demands. We feel the government is giving more importance to Shree Cement than to issues concerning the indigenous people,” he said.
“The KSU has clarified there were opportunists during the rally. In 9 years of leading KSU, I have seen attempts to sabotage its programs. In 2013 also, KSU was accused of burning vehicles but police later caught two non-tribals,” he said.
“We will not agitate with weapons but with wisdom,” he added.
Clarifying that the agitation is not against people of Assam, he said, “It should not be seen as against Assam people. The agitation is against the Meghalaya government which is silent on these issues.”
On the revocation of permission for the sit-in demonstration at Khyndai Lad, he said, “Even if we ask, DC will revoke it. Since the government has fueled the fire, let the government answer.”
Asked if KSU will demand the release of its leaders, Marngar said, “Our main demand is implementation of the five demands. Release or not, the issues will go on.”
KSU’s five-point charter of demands
The KSU’s five-point charter of demands include action against officials over the July 31, 2026 public hearing for Shree Cement in East Jaintia Hills, which it alleged was “pre-arranged.”
It has sought action against the Deputy Commissioner, SP, senior police officers and MSPCB officials for allegedly blocking public participation.
The union also demanded full implementation of the Meghalaya Residents Safety and Security Act, 2016 till ILP is enforced, setting up of facilitation centres at all 18 entry points in Khasi-Jaintia Hills with verification by Dorbar Shnong only, implementation of the amended Migrant Workmen Act, 2020, recruitment reforms in NEIGRIHMS with 80:20 female-to-male ratio for nurses and job reservation for locals, and removal of interviews for Grade B, C & D posts with SOPs for all recruitment boards.
