Khliehriat, August 8: The Khasi Students’ Union (KSU) has announced that it will go ahead with its proposed public meeting at the Kiang Nangbah Monument in Khliehriat on August 11, 2026, despite the East Jaintia Hills District administration declining permission for the gathering.
The KSU, through its East Jaintia Hills District Unit, had on August 6 submitted a request to the Deputy Commissioner (DC) of East Jaintia Hills seeking permission to organise a public meeting to explain to the people the five demands that the organisation has placed before the State Government.
However, the DC’s office informed the KSU that permission could not be granted in view of an order issued under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) on May 20, 2026, prohibiting the assembly of more than five persons within the jurisdiction of the DC’s office.
Reacting to the decision, the KSU expressed strong dissatisfaction and questioned the district administration’s interpretation of Section 163 of the BNSS. The organisation said the provision had been imposed on May 20, 2026, in view of the situation prevailing at the time, but argued that the restriction could not continue indefinitely.
The KSU claimed that Section 163 of the BNSS is not intended to remain in force permanently and questioned why the district administration was citing the provision as a reason to prevent the organisation from holding a peaceful meeting at the Kiang Nangbah Monument.
The organisation further said the response from the East Jaintia Hills DC had strengthened its demand for the removal of the officer, alleging that the issue was not limited to the recent controversy surrounding Shree Cement, but also reflected what it described as a lack of understanding of the law on the part of the district administration.
Clarifying its position, the KSU said it had no intention of creating any disturbance within the DC office premises at Khliehriat and had no plan to hold the meeting there. It said the proposed venue was the Kiang Nangbah Monument, which happens to fall within the jurisdiction of the DC’s office.
The organisation maintained that it wanted to conduct the meeting peacefully and use the occasion to educate the public about its five demands before the State Government.
At the same time, the KSU warned that if the district administration attempts to obstruct or prohibit its peaceful meeting, the organisation would consider taking further steps.
Through its statement, the KSU urged the East Jaintia Hills District administration to allow it to conduct the meeting peacefully, failing which, it said, the organisation would be compelled to take “other steps.”
