That a students’ body should be overly bothered about the coming of a railway station to a particular point in the State of Meghalaya when another region in the same State is benefitting from the railway services is absurd. Khasi Students’ Union (KSU) consult the people of Meghalaya to solicit their views about the coming of the railways closer home? Has the KSU done a cost-benefit analysis which it can share with the public and from from which vantage point it can argue about the adverse effects of the project? To say that the railways will result in infiltration is a mere assumption not based on scientific analysis. How come the KSU was never concerned when a similar kind of infiltration happened in the coal belts of Jaintia Hills just because the locals are unwilling to mine coal in risky circumstances and take the risks that the outsiders are willing to on lower wages?
The sudden explosive outburst from the KSU coming close on the heels of the 2018 elections reminds us of similar agitations in the past when the students’ body would be used by those with political aspirations to whip up public sentiments and create a fear psychosis among the voters. Ethnocentrism has a limited appeal today. Things have changed; the younger generation is looking out for job opportunities beyond the government. They have no time for futile agitations that are seasonal and have short term appeal. If one is to check out the list of office bearers of the KSU one would be better briefed as to how many of those are actually students. A students’ body that is populated largely by non-students with a vested interest can no longer mislead the people of Meghalaya. While there is need for a civil society in a democracy so as to temper an oppressive state, violence as a mode of protest is uncalled for. It’s good that the state has taken swift action and arrested the trouble-mongers. A strong message needs to be sent to all interest and pressure groups that arson and violence cannot be tolerated and have no place in a democracy, but that reasoned argument is the way forward.