SHILLONG, AUG 3: The Khasi Students’ Union has warned the Meghalaya government of state-wide agitation if it fails to address several pending issues within 15 days.
In a letter to Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma, KSU accused the government of adopting “totalitarian and dictatorial ways” in East Jaintia Hills and of using delaying tactics on long-pending demands despite repeated dialogues.
The Union’s sharpest criticism was reserved for the July 31 public hearing for Shree Cement in EJHD.
KSU alleged the district administration, police and MSPCB worked to favor the company by preventing opponents from entering the venue.
It cited incidents on the preceding night including use of tear gas, road digging at Ladtonseng, and stone pelting that damaged vehicles and injured people.
Calls to the DC, SP and police stations, it claimed, went unanswered.
KSU has demanded the hearing be scrapped and departmental action taken against the DC, SP of EJHD and MSPCB officials.
The Union also slammed Deputy CM Prestone Tynsong’s July 29 remarks on the Meghalaya Residents Safety & Security Act, 2016, saying implementation has been deliberately delayed despite funds and land for facilitation centres already being in place.
It wants the Act enforced immediately with Dorbar Shnongs handling tenant verification and weekly government reports on progress.
KSU further sought immediate enforcement of the 2024 amendments to the Migrant Workers Act, which the Cabinet approved on August 3, 2024 but has not been put into effect.
The delay, it said, was aiding unchecked influx.
On NEIGRIHMS, the Union said assurances given during its May 2025 protest over nursing ratios and tribal reservation remain unfulfilled a year later, and urged the state to take up the matter with the Centre.
KSU also called for recruitment reforms, including scrapping interviews for Grade B non-gazetted, C and D posts as per DoPT norms, and changes in MPSC and DSC.
It opposed MPSC ads open to “genuine residents of India” and demanded jobs be restricted to Meghalaya residents.
The Union also reminded the government of its pledge on a resolution against uranium mining.
The Union said it would have “no other option” but to protest if the government fails to act within the deadline.
By Our Reporter
