KSU observes Awakening Day

SHILLONG, APR 4: Burning of UCIL and AMD effigies marked the observation of the Khasi National Awakening Day by the Khasi Students’ Union (KSU) here to protest against the numerous attempts to mine uranium from the state.

The union, which threatened to close down their offices, also warned a repeat of the 1979-1992 like situation if the Centre government dares to implement its decision to provide citizenship to Bangladeshis Hindus in Meghalaya.

Hundreds of KSU activists with blue headbands and flags took out a procession from Urkaliar, Demseiniong to Nongmynsong where the office of the Atomic Mineral Directorate (AMD) is located and was put under tight security.

Almost all the shops and business establishments along the stretch of about 150 meters mainly in Nongmynsong market remain closed during the hour of the procession.

The activists participating in the procession were seen carrying portraits of legendary freedom fighters of the Khasis and Jaintias – U Tirot Sing Syiem and Kiang Nangbah.

Some of the placards read – “This is Khasi Land not Jaduguda – No Uranium Mining”, “Don’t nuke our Khasi land or else face bloodshed”, “We don’t want a jadugoda like situation in Khasi Land”, were also displayed.

Leaders of the KSU burnt the effigies of the Uranium Corporation India Limited (UCIL) and Atomic Mineral Directorate (AMD) after a brief meeting held in front of the AMD office.

However, there were also incidents of stones pelting first at the office of the AMD, and later at the Manav Dharam Ashram Manav Utthan Sewa Samiti, Nongmynsong, whose window paints were left broken.

Earlier in his address, KSU chief Lambokstarwell Marngar said, “If the AMD still continue to float tender or if UCIL still goes to Domiasiat area, we will take stern decision which will ensure their offices no longer functions from Khasi land.”

“If they (UCIL/AMD) continue with their attempt to mine uranium in the state, we will also declare them as our greatest enemies,” Marngar said even as he warned, “The Government of India, UCIL and AMD should also be ready to take full responsibility on the consequences arising out of such attempts.”

On the other hand, KSU general secretary Donald V Thabah, while referring to recent protest by Assam Students Union (ASU) against citizenship to Bangladeshis Hindus said, “If the Centre dares to implement such decision in Meghalaya, time will not be far when 1979 – 1987 and 1992 situation will be repeated.”

He also asserted the need for the state government to pay urgent attention to the issue (relating to influx) by fast tracking the setting up of entry/exit points across the state.

Thabah further maintained the stand of the union on railway projects till the government is ready to put effective laws to curb inflow of influx into the state and said – “We are not ready to become refugees in our own land”.

Echoing similar protest on Bangladeshi Hindus, North East Students’ Organization (NESO) chairman Samuel B Jyrwa said, “Be it Hindus or Muslims in the end Bangladeshi will always be a Bangladeshi…therefore, we will not allow this in our land.”

Jyrwa, also a former KSU president, said the main reason for the Centre and UCIL not to be able to achieve their objective to extract uranium from this part of the country is because of the firm stand maintained by KSU for the past 27 years and the unity of the indigenous community against mining of this mineral.

Recalling a tour taken up by the union to Jharkhand where the Bihar government had allowed the UCIL to mine uranium, he said it was after seeing the condition of the tribals there we have further strengthened our stand against uranium.

“Allowing mining of uranium will be a curse to the people of the state,” NESO chairman said adding today’s meeting is a clear message to the Centre, AMD/UCIL to close the chapter of uranium mining in the state.