KSU warns Govt of agitation
Shillong, Mar 21: The Khasi Students’ Union (KSU) has warned the state government of launching an agitation in protest against the reported government move to introduce railway line in Khasi-Jaintia Hills despite the strong opposition.
The KSU said thousands of its members would not hesitate to go to jail if the government “bulldozed” its way to introduce railway line in Khasi-Jaintia region in absence of strong anti-influx mechanism like the inner line permit (ILP).
“While we are fighting for ILP, suddenly they came up with proposal to introduce the railway line,” KSU president Lambokstarwell Marngar said in a meeting held to mark 47th anniversary of the Union.
“We are sending a loud and clear message not to provoke the KSU because we want immediate implementation of strong and effective laws to protect the rights and interests of the Khasi community,” he said.
The government should be ready to expand the different district jails as thousands of KSU members are ready to go to jail, in case the government tries to forcibly introduce the railway line, he said.
“The KSU doesn’t have time to give big talks in social media, we are busy fighting on the ground for the protection of the Khasi community,” Marngar said.
Reminding the state government of its resolution for implementation of ILP, passed in the assembly, he said the matter is still pending with the Centre.
He also questioned the government’s failure to implement the Meghalaya Residents Safety and Security Act (MRSSA), 2016 and said, “People should not only question what the KSU has done to protect the Khasi community, but they should also question the legislators what have they done on this when they have been elected to make laws for the protecting the indigenous community.”
The KSU president also reminded that it was tough journey for the union in the past 47 years and said, “We have faced many challenges while taking up the different issues affecting the indigenous community.”
Accusing the government, both in the state or the Centre, of trying to create a division in the outfit, he said, “In 2007-09, there was an attempt to divide the KSU because of uranium issue not only through use of money but even to the extent of trying to take the lives of the KSU leaders. Therefore, we are here to remind the KSU in its 47 years of existence has been standing for the cause of the indigenous people to safeguarding their rights and interests.”
The KSU established in 1978 is a brainchild of a group of students to safeguard the rights of the Khasi community through a common platform.
