Legendary freedom fighter remembered on his 181st death anniv; KSU draws attention to uranium mining threat on the occasion
SHILLONG: The Khasi Students’ Union (KSU) remembered the legendary Khasi freedom fighter U Tirot Sing Syiem on his 181st death anniversary in a small function at Madan Iewrynghep, Laitumkhrah here on Sunday.
Besides paying tributes to the legend, the KSU used the occasion to draw attention to the contentious issue of uranium mining in the state which the union is opposed to.
The KSU felt that the confrontation faced by the state today is parallel to the challenges faced by the Khasi freedom fighter from Hima Nongkhlaw in his quest to gain freedom from British rule.
Speaking to reporters on the occasion, KSU general secretary Auguster Jyrwa said, “The British had requested for permission to construct a road which had its ramifications in the Khasi states and presently the Central Government is trying to pave its way into the state with a road project from Nongstoiñ-Wahkaji-Mawthabah to facilitate uranium mining (which will again be detrimental to the state).”
“We do not want the same story of harassment and violence to be repeated in the present times as undoubtedly the road project is to facilitate uranium mining in the region,” he added.
Jyrwa stated that if the Centre gives green signal to the road project, the pressure group will be “ready to face the challenge”.
However, he said that for the time being the organization will settle for a public meeting to make people aware of the end result of the road project.
Also present on the occasion were members of regional political parties-UDP and KHNAM, and those representing the HNYF among others. All present paid rich tributes to the legendary freedom fighter.
Addressing the gathering, UDP working president and former KSU leader Paul Lyngdoh said, “A community that does not remember its freedom fighters is immature. It is necessary to instill the spirit of love for one’s community.”
Our Ri Bhoi Corespondent adds
Meanwhile, the KSU, North Khasi Hills District along with the principal, teachers and students of Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya, Niangbari observed the 181st death anniversary of the U Tirot Sing by paying homage with floral tributes at the memorial monument of the freedom fighter at the campus of JNV Niangbari in Ri Bhoi District on Saturday.
Quoting the immortal words of Tirot Sing, “Better die an independent king than reign as the vassal”, KSU NKHD president, Ferdynald Kharkamni urged the student community to take inspiration from the great leader and urged people to be united in their fight against various issues concerning the state.
U Tirot Sing Syiem, the tribal Khasi chief of Nongkhlaw Kingdom, was the first Khasi ruler to rebel against the British empire in 1829.
U Tirot Sing Syiem’s name is etched in history as the last man who ended up in the British dungeons in Dhaka, Bangladesh for trying to free his people from foreign yoke. It was on January 13, 1833, that the British forces treacherously captured him and kept him in a Dhaka jail, where he died on July 17, 1835.