Activists reiterate demand for ILP implementation
SHILLONG: Braving torrential hailstorms on Friday afternoon, thousands of people including activists of various organisations took out a procession to observe the Khasi National Awakening Day here.
The procession started from Shillong Polytechnic, Mawlai, and proceeded towards Mawlai Nongpdeng and finally culminated at the Jaiaw Shyiap-Lumpyllon Community Hall.
The East Khasi Hills district administration had made arrangements for a strong security presence across the city in the wake of last year’s incident when the rally turned violent and some of the participants started pelting stones at shops, injuring two tourists and a shop keeper in Laitumkhrah area.
17 shops were vandalized in Laitumkhrah while 11 people were assaulted including two tourists from West Bengal – Britesh Sinha and Arup Kundu – besides an old shopkeeper Sushil Mishra.
The KSU, while explaining the significance of the Khasi National Awakening Day, said that the same was meant to create awareness among the indigenous people about the dangers affecting the society.
The celebration is also aimed at awakening the sentiments of the Khasi community on the need to preserve and promote their rich cultural heritage and roots, the KSU said.
The activities marched through the streets chanting Khasi patriotic songs with the regular light blue bandana covering their face and stickers tagged on their bodies that read: “No ILP, No Rest” and “Peace comes with a solution”.
Earlier, several student leaders gave rousing speeches stressing on the importance of protecting the indigenous people and the land from the hawkish eyes of the exploiters.
“We should remember that Tirot Singh Syiem, the Chief of Hima Nongkhlaw, had taken on the might of the British and had died as a vassal in Dhaka,” KSU cultural secretary June Marbaniang said while exhorting the gathering to use the historical event as an awakening for each and every indigenous son of the soil to imbibe the spirit of self sacrifice.
NESO chairman Samuel Jyrwa, FKJGP president Joe Marwein, HNYF general secretary Sadon Blah, elected members of the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) and other leaders of various organisations took part in the march.
Our Nongpoh correspondent adds: Along with their counterpart in Shillong and other parts of Khasi-Jaintia Hills Districts, the KSU North Khasi Hills District joined hands in commemorating the Khasi National Awakening Day by holding a rally and public meeting in Nongpoh on Friday.
Elaborate security arrangement was put in place by the Ri Bhoi district administration as a precautionary measure.
The rally which was attended by over 300 people commenced from KSU office at Mawdiangdum and proceeded to National Highway-40 and concluded in front of the Urban Shopping Complex, Nongpoh.
Speaking at the public meeting, KSU North Khasi Hills District president Ferdynald K Kharkamni said that the KSU will continue its fight until the State Government concedes to their demand for implementation of the Inner Line Permit in the State to protect it from the menace of influx.
He also rued the ongoing practice of mixed marriage and observed that non- tribal traders get trading licenses after marrying a Khasi lady, which in the long run adversely affects the economy of the local people.
Umsning MDC Donkupar Sumer, Chairman of Umsning Town Dorbar Rocky Kylla, UDP Youth Wing chief organizer Rayonold Kharkamni, Sabuda Rangbah Shnong B Sohtun and others attended the meeting.
Our Jowai correspondent adds: The Khasi National Awakening Day was also observed in Jowai with hundreds of KSU activists along with other NGO leaders from different parts of East and West Jaintia Hills districts participating in a march from Kiang Nangbah Studium in Ladthadlaboh to the District Library Auditorium, Jowai.
The activists carried banners and placards and shouted slogans like: “No ILP, No Rest”; “Long Live Khasi-Pnar”; “Mukul Sangma Down Down”.
The activists also demanded implementation of the Inner Line Permit.