NONGPOH: Khasi Students’ Union leaders Ferdynald Kharkamni and Sonstar Nongkhlaw, who were arrested last week for violent protests against the railway project, were sent to 14-day judicial custody after they were produced in the district court of chief judicial magistrate on Sunday.
Speaking to media persons on Sunday, Kharkamni said the organisation will cooperate in celebrating the district’s silver jubilee. He also sent his regards to the members of the silver jubilee celebrations committee.
Kharkamni is the president of KSU’s North Khasi Hills unit and Nongkhlaw is the assistant secretary of the KSU central body.
KSU had earlier urged the people of Ri Bhoi to refrain from celebrations in the wake of the protests against the railway project.
The two KSU leaders will be lodged in the District Jail in Mawsyntai.
Three more arrested KSU activists – Jayand Sylliang, Paplu Lyngdoh and Johny Nongrum – will be produced to the district court on Monday.
When asked about KSU’s opposition to the celebrations, Kharkamni said on Sunday the organisation was protesting against the railway project as there was “no strong mechanism to control influx in the State” and its agenda is not against the jubilee.
The KSU’s North Khasi Hills unit clarified in a statement to the media on Sunday that the union is not opposing the 25th year celebrations.
“Protesting against the railway project at Byrnihat is the top most priority of the union till the Government takes strict measures (to control influx). However, opposing the celebration of silver jubilee of Ri Bhoi district is not in the agenda of the union,” the units General Secretary Lambok Rymbai said in the communiqué.
Rymbai also said the union’s appeal to locals to not join the celebrations was intended to jointly protest against the Government’s “adamant attitude”. He added that the organisation is worried over the increasing number of illegal immigrants.
The organising committee of the Ri Bhoi District Silver Jubilee Celebration has lauded KSU’s change of stand and said this move will boost the morale of the public. The committee’s spokesperson Kyrmenlang Uriah said all the members of the core committee and the sub-committees have sent their regards to the arrested KSU leaders.
