By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, MAY 29: The Khasi Students’ Union (KSU) today demanded the Congress led state government to stop the ongoing construction of the railway project in Byrnihat and to release all its leaders and members immediately.
“The state government must ensure the construction of the railway project is put on hold,” KSU chief Lambokstarwell Marngar told reporters at a news conference here on Monday.
Reiterating that the union would continue its protest against the project, Marngar said this is in view of the state government’s failure to come up with effective laws to prevent influx of “outsiders” into the state.
“We had all along maintained a strong stand that it is only when such laws are in place, we will be ready to talk on whether to welcome the railway project,” he added.
KSU-North Khasi Hills District president Ferdynald Kharkamni and central body assistant secretary Son Nongkhlaw were booked under the Meghalaya Maintenance Public Order (MMPO) after they were arrested on Saturday.
This came after three FIRs were lodged by the Ri Bhoi district administration against the attack on the properties, machineries and workers at construction site of the railway line in Ronghona village under Byrnihat police outpost.
However according to KSU leaders, another three members of the Union from Byrnihat- Khanapara area which include Gayant Sylliang and Ramesh Lyngdoh were also arrested today.
Terming the arrest as a provocation, the KSU chief said that the Union strongly condemned against the lathi charge on its members and the general public, in which many have sustained injuries.
“We demand that the arrested leaders and members should be released immediately if the government wants to ensure peace and tranquility is maintained in the state,” he warned.
Marngar also said that the Ri Bhoi deputy commissioner and superintendent of police on Saturday had invited the KSU leaders for talks and unfortunately they were beaten up, arrested and booked under different sections of the law.
“The DC and the SP should take full responsibility if anything happens to our members,” he added.
On the other hand, KSU general secretary Donald V Thabah alleged that it was the police who provoked the members, who have only retaliated against such uncalled action of lathi charge.
Thabah further reminded the assurance given by the Mukul led state government in 2011 that the issue on railway project will not be discussed pending the mechanism to check influx.
“But surprisingly, the work for construction of the railway line is going on in full swing,” he said.
Accusing the Ministry of Railway of violation without obtaining the no-objection certificate from Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC), Thabah the question now is to the state government what step will it take on this.
Referring to the recent claim of the district DC, he said, “We demand the DC (CP Gotmare) to make the NOC from the KHADC public and also the KHADC should do the same.”
Admitting to have sent the team for inspection to Byrnihat, the KSU president said they have found out that majority of labourers engaged at the construction site were without work permit and the construction company do not have NOC.
Asking the government to respect its own assurance made in 2011, Marngar said, “It will be better for the state government to speed up the entry/exit points, then we will talk about the railway line, otherwise will intensify our protest.”
Meanwhile, the KSU has also rubbished the claim of the Ri Bhoi DC CP Gotmare that the people of Ronghona village are happy with the rail connectivity and welcomed the project.
“To say that they (people of Ronghona) are welcoming the project is not acceptable because of the fact that they cannot speak on behalf or take responsibility for the people of the entire state,” KSU general secretary said.
Asked on the petrol bomb attacks in the city, Marngar claimed that the KSU is not aware of such incidents.
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