Shillong, September 4: The Central Executive Council (CEC) of the Khasi Students’ Union (KSU), at a meeting held on Friday, decided to give the Meghalaya Government three days to arrest those allegedly involved in the violence during a public hearing for Shree Cement Limited at Lum Syrman, Elaka Nongkhlieh, in July.
KSU Assistant General Secretary Pynshaiborlang Rani said the CEC also resolved to continue following up on five issues on which the State Government had given assurances during a meeting with the Union at the Secretariat on August 26.
Among the matters to be pursued are the proposed Felicitation Centres at Umling in Ri-Bhoi district and Ratacherra in East Jaintia Hills, as well as implementation of the Migrant Workmen Act, for which the government had agreed to a 20-day timeframe.
The KSU also expressed resentment over what it described as the frequent filing of cases against its leaders and members. Rani specifically referred to the arrest of KSU Shillong Mihngi Circle General Secretary Samuel Kharbani after he was summoned to Sadar Police Station on Thursday in connection with the Union’s protest against the alleged illegal construction of a temple within the CBI office premises.
He also alleged that KSU members had been “selectively” targeted through arrests and cases following the Union’s bike rally on August 19.
Questioning the police action, Rani asked whether the authorities had arrested even one person allegedly responsible for damaging vehicles, digging up public roads and attacking people who had gathered to oppose the Shree Cement public hearing on the evening of July 30 and morning of July 31.
The KSU alleged that instead of identifying and arresting those actually responsible, the authorities had arrested its members without sufficient evidence.
Rani said the KSU would not remain silent and had given the government three days to arrest those responsible, including any government personnel allegedly involved in the incidents.
He warned that if the government failed to act within the stipulated period, the Union would consider “other means” of pursuing the matter.
The CEC further resolved that if the government failed to fulfil its demands or failed to show clear signs of implementing the agreed measures, the KSU would withdraw its temporary suspension of agitation announced on August 26 and resume its protests.
Rani said the government must provide satisfactory responses and demonstrate concrete steps towards implementing the demands, failing which the KSU would restart its public agitation.
The Union has therefore put the government on notice to either implement the demands raised by the people or face the resumption of the KSU’s agitation.
