SHILLONG, FEB 26: Even as the Khasi Students Union (KSU) said that the decision of its vice president Frederick Kharmawphlang to join the proscribed outfit Hynniewtrep National Liberation Council (HNLC) is a loss for the students’ body but nonetheless it respects and welcomes his decision.
KSU also said that one of the reasons that led Kharmawphlang and other youths to take up arms struggle is because the political leaders no longer have “voices” to speak up and take up issues for the welfare of the indigenous people of the state.
The KSU is one of the thirteen ngos who have been demanding the implementation of the Inner Line Permit (ILP) to check illegal influx in the state.
Kharmawphlang had recently left the KSU to join the HNLC.
KSU central executive committee (CEC) meeting on Wednesday discussed the resignation letter given by its vice president Frederick Kharmawphlang and his joining the HNLC.
After four hours of meeting KSU president Daniel Khyriem said, “With a heavy heart, we have decided to welcome and respect the decision of Kharmawphlang who has always been one of the strong pillars and oldest leaders of the union.”
Khyriem also said that the students union is in a dilemma as it is still trying to cope with the loss of a leader like Kharmawphlang. He said that the union is yet to decide on his replacement calling Kharmawphlang as one of the front leaders who had shown great responsibility towards the welfare and issues concerning the state. He said, “We extend our prayers and wishes to him and his family.”
Khyriem, however, said the door of the KSU is always open whenever Kharmawphlang wants to return to the union.
Khyriem also said that youths are forced to take to arms struggle because the political leaders are voiceless who seems to have washed their hands from taking up issues that really concerns the people and the state.
In his resignation letter Kharmawphlang submitted to the union he had stated – “I have taken this step personally with a motive to send a strong message to the state government that there is a need to protect our indigenous people.”
The letter also said, “As a student leader I found that the Congress-led government has failed the people even on a simple issue of influx of outsiders. I believe 2014 is a political year and I speak as one of a victim of the Government of India even after 67 years of India’s attaining freedom.”
Khyriem said he agrees with what Kharmawphlang had expressed in his letter as the demand for Inner Line Permit (ILP) has been lingering for donkey’s years and the state government still choose to delay addressing the issue of influx which has caused frustration not only to members but to the leaders of the union as well.
Khyriem said, “It is time for the state government to respect the recommendations and decisions of the High Level Committee on Influx (HLCI) constituted by it and it is time for the government to come up with a concrete decision on the issue.”
Khyriem, however, said he had no information to the report that thirteen youths had also joined the HNLC with Kharmawphlang.
Khyriem also cautioned the government to stop its delaying tactic on issue like ILP which is he said is emotionally and sentimentally attached with the people. He warned that otherwise the youths will lose their hopes and the frustration level will increase which will not be good for the state.
Khyriem said, “The state government’s adamant attitude on various issues on several occasions will only forced the youth to decide otherwise.” He, however, said the KSU is firm and will continue to pursue and pressurize the government to implement ILP and other demands.
Khyriem also said that the KSU does not want to hear that the youths are taking up arms and dying on issues relating to the welfare of the state and the indigenous people.
Meanwhile, KSU general secretary Auguster Jyrwa informed that the union had asked all its members to refrain from adopting extreme approach towards the issue as the union is firmed on its stand with regards to the implementation of the Inner Line Permit (ILP) system which is to check and tackle the problem of influx into the state.- By Our Reporter
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