New KSU leadership takes over

By Our Reporter

SHILLONG, MAR 4: A new leadership of the Khasi Students’ Union (KSU) took over today where reiteration was emphasised on the union’s long-standing disapproval to uranium mining and the introduction of railways.

Under the leadership of new KSU President Lambokstarwell Marngar, the students’ body demanded that if the Centre was attempting to forcefully mine uranium in Meghalaya, it should first declare the Khasi tribal land as a territory which is no longer within the Indian Union.

“The Centre should first declare that we no longer fall under the Indian Territory if it wishes to forcefully go ahead with its attempt to mine uranium in the state,” Marngar said.

Marngar along with his new team was administered the oath of office by outgoing KSU chief Daniel Khyriem.

Stating that the Uranium Corporation of India Limited (UCIL) had recently made attempts to send feelers for negotiations with the new KSU body, Marngar said, “The KSU will not succumb till its last breath as it will continue to oppose any attempt to mine uranium in the state. It is better to be called as outlaw than to compromise with the interest of the people.”

Referring to the Governor’s Address to the State Assembly on railway projects, the KSU president questioned the hurried attitude of the government to bring railway line despite strong protests in the absence of anti-influx laws.

“As of now, we don’t need railway lines. We, in fact, need strong and effective mechanisms to ensure that inflow of influx into the state is checked,” he said.

He, therefore, announced that the union will intensify its protest against railway projects.

Moreover, Marngar said that only if the government was ready to set up the entry/exit points apart from anti-influx laws, the union would be willing to discuss whether railway line in the state should be allowed.

At the same time, he said the union will pursue with the government to accelerate the implementation of comprehensive mechanisms to check influx.

Announcing that the KSU would take up several issues and problems faced by students and youths, Marngar attacked the state government for its failures.

“The failure of the state government to come up with clear cut policies has affected the youths due to absence of proper educational institutes and also due to lack of employment opportunities,” he said.

He said it was high time for the government to set up educational institutes in all the districts of the state to ensure that students, especially those who cannot afford to come to Shillong, also get equal opportunities.

Speaking on the health sector, he said most of the health centres, instead of providing health care to the people, are being turned into cow sheds and dens for criminals.

Further, the KSU expressed opposition to allot land to the Nagaland government near NEIGRIHMS instead of utilising the same for setting up of guest houses for people from rural areas who come for treatment in the institute.

“We will soon shoot our letter of protest to the government on this that if there is any construction being carried out in the said plot of land, we will be compelled to dismantle it,” he said.

Touching upon the issue of drug abuse among the youths of the state, the KSU leader said the union will find out solutions to eradicate the menace by soliciting support and cooperation of all stakeholders including educational and traditional institutes.

“We have to combat this challenge together because it will be meaningless to speak about the welfare of the indigenous community if our youths are being destroyed by such menace,” Marngar added.

Further, the KSU demanded from the state government to resolve the boundary dispute with Assam. The union also wanted that Khasi should be included in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution.

The oath to the new KSU CEC members which were elected recently was administered by the outgoing KSU chief Daniel Khyriem.

In his speech, Khyriem expressed full confidence on the new leadership which he asserted as competent enough to take up the responsibility to defend the indigenous community from various challenges.

Outgoing KSU general secretary Auguster Jyrwa presented a brief report on the activities and issues taken up by the previous CEC of the Union which included the 2013 Inner Line Permit (ILP) agitation.

The KSU also felicitated the 14 outgoing leaders during the ceremony, which was attended by former presidents and leaders of the union besides guests and invitees.

Later, Marngar also announced the decision of the CEC which was held recently to make Khyriem and Jyrwa as part of the Advisory Board of the KSU.