NONGSTOIN: Lambokstarwell Marngar, president of the KSU central body, said on Sunday the union would not yield to the government with regard to uranium mining in the state.
He was speaking on the occasion of the 30th death anniversary of Wickliffe Syiem, Syiem Khynnah (Deputy King) of Hima Nongstoin, organised here by the Khasi Students’ Union (KSU).
Marngar said though “the Indian government had forced Syiem to sign the Instrument of Accession, the KSU will not be forced to do the same with uranium issue”.
Marngar said they will neither retreat nor exchange development issues pertaining to uranium mining even though the Indian government had tried hard to force the union to give up the issue.
Highlighting Syiem as a hero and not an anti-Indian as labeled by the Indian Government, the KSU president said the union and the Khasis will remember him as a hero.
Marngar also urged KSU members to follow in the footstep of Syiem as the late leader was inspired by the love of his community. He also expressed hope that the KSU West Khasi Hills District Unit would produce more stalwarts like him.
John Fisher Nongsiang, president of the KSU West Khasi Hills District Unit also highlighting the history of Wickliffe Syiem. Nongsiang said Khasis should emulate the late leader who was a pioneer in many respect. Born in Nongstoin on August 15, 1909, Syiem obtained an engineering degree from the College of Engineering Technology, Baroda, Gujarat and became the first engineer from the Khasi community. Nongsiang added that Syiem struggled hard to obtain autonomy status for Nongstoin during his lifetime.
He added that according to the Annexation Agreement between the Indian Government and the Hima Khasi, native states maintained cordial relations but were not part of India. However, a month after signing the Annexation Agreement, the Indian Government forcibly made the Hima Khasi native states sign the Instrument of Accession whereby the native Khasi state became a part of India.
The KSU members also laid floral wreaths at the memorial site of Syiem at Sohpia.
The commemoration was also attended by Rapborlang Nongrum, Rishotskhembor Kharbani, general secretary KSU West Khasi Hills and others KSU members including the KSU girls’ wing.
