Pro-ILP groups preparing charter of demands
SHILLONG: The 13 pressure groups are preparing a charter of demands to be presented to the Meghalaya government which will reiterate the need for introduction of the inner line permit (ILP) in the state, KSU general secretary Auguster Jyrwa said on Saturday.
Talking to newspersons, Jywra informed that KSU would observe the Khasi National Awakening Day on April 4 across the Khasi-Jaintia hills. As part of the programme, a march will be held from Polytechnic Institute at Mawlai to the Jaiaw Shyiap-Lumpyllon Community Hall from 3pm.
He said KSU’s charter of demands was being prepared after studying the 52 existing laws which had been provided by the Government. “The charter of demands to be submitted would cater specifically on the steps which could be adopted to further strengthen and improved the existing Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulation 1873,” Jyrwa said.
He refused to divulge the details, however, as the charter was still at the stage of drafting. “We would spell out once we complete the whole exercise,” he said.
The KSU leader expressed disappointment that the Government had not responded to their letter to call a meeting to discuss the issue. “It has been two weeks since we have sent the letter. But till now the Government is yet to respond which is really sad,” Jyrwa said.
The KSU general secretary said that the second round of meeting was critical for both the pressure groups and the Government. “We are also going to submit our charter of demands during this meeting to the Government.” The government should immediately set a date and call the KSU for talks, he said. “The government should no longer waste time to invite us for talks as we want to resolve the issue at its earliest for the wellbeing of the people.”
The purpose of observing the Khasi National Awakening Day was to awaken the indigenous people and make them aware about the dangers lurking in the society, Jyrwa said, adding, influx, illegal immigration, marriage and trade will feature as the core issues to be raised by the students’ union.
Asked if the change of venue was done after last year’s vandalism the KSU general secretary said that the students’ union wanted to observe the day in various places of the state. “Next year we might also hold it in Upper Shillong, Laban and other places because we want to reach out to the indigenous people.”
The day is observed to recall the supreme sacrifice made by the legendary freedom fighter U Tirot Singh who had sacrificed his life for the cause of the nation and took up his fight on April 4, 1829, against the British to do away with their rule.
Jyrwa demanded the release of two of KSU members and a member of the Hynniewtrep National Youth Front (HNYF), who were arrested during the ILP agitation. The two KSU members, Johny Sohkhlet, KSU Lawsohtun unit president, and general secretary Readyon Stone Nongrum are booked under the MPDA and lodged at Williamnagar jail.
They were arrested in November last year for their alleged involvement in setting ablaze Bisheshwar Das, the owner of the Babua Tea stall, who had succumbed to the burn injuries. “Many of the arrested were released and the government should immediately release our two members and a member of the HNYF.”