SHILLONG: The over three-decades-old Khasi Students’ Union on Thursday suffered a split after a section of the KSU leaders of Mawlai Circle detached themselves from the Union and announced the formation of a new organisation christened Hynniewtrep Youth Council (HYC).
The new organisation has a total strength of more than 200 plus youths with majority of them being former KSU leaders and members from various parts of Khasi and Jaintia Hills.
It is learnt that the HYC members, who were earlier with the KSU, had been expelled from the Union for raising their voice against the dilly dally tactics of the Central KSU leadership over the demand for implementation of the ILP in the State.
While addressing newsmen to reveal the formation of the new organisation, former KSU Mawlai Circle president and convener of HYC Adhoc Committee, Donboklang Kharlyngdoh, said they had decided to form the Council on the occasion of the Death Anniversary of U Tirot Sing Syiem, the noted freedom fighter, to be able to follow the footprints of the great personality who had fought and sacrificed his lives for the cause of the tribal nation.
He also said that the HYC’s top agenda would be the demand for immediate implementation of the ILP to tackle the problem of influx and inflow of illegal immigrants.
According to him, most of the youths of the State were of the opinion that ILP was the ideal mechanism to address the sensitive problem of illegal influx into the State. “We would not compromise on any of the issues which we have taken up,” he added.
Kharlyngdoh also informed that the full-fledged central executive committee of the HYC would be announced shortly.
Stating that the HYC constitution was being drafted, Kharlyngdoh said, “We are proposing to release the constitution on the occasion of the death anniversary of Jaintia freedom fighter U Kiang Nangbah on December 30.”
Highlighting other agenda of the HYC, secretary of the ad hoc committee and a former leader of the KSU Delhi Unit, Rhembor Saibon, said, “The HYC will focus on the need for residential permits to be issued to non-indigenous people besides work permit and trading licenses. freedom of the people, Khyriem said, “People including young and even elder citizens of the State should be brave enough to speak out for their rights and fight against all odd for a better future and a better society.”
Khyriem said it was really sad that attempts were being made by the Government agencies to divide the KSU. “The KSU needs to overcome this situation and come out stronger,” Khyriem said.
He said that since the State achieved its Statehood, there has not been louder demand than the slogan ‘No ILP No Rest’ which had emerged from Student’s Field, Jaiaw.
“The slogan was a wakeup call for the local indigenous people to stand united for a mechanism which would protect from the onslaught of the people from outside,” Khyriem said.
Earlier, the KSU leaders paid floral tributes to the bust of Tirot Sing Syiem at the Indoor Stadium.
Mentionably, UDP MLAs – Jemino Mawthoh, Titosstarwell Chyne and Embhahlang Syiem (former KSU member) – and KHNAM MDC Adelbert Nongrum were present in the gathering.
A one-minute silence was also observed to remember the contribution of the Khasi freedom fighter.
Meanwhile, the KHNAM Pynthorumkhrah unit led by party’s local MDC James Ban Basaiawmoit also paid floral tributes of U Tirot Sing Syiem at the Indoor Stadium.
The Hima Nongkhlaw, U Tirot Sing’s erstwhile kingdom, also observed his death anniversary in a befitting manner.