SHILLONG: Anti-railway groups in the State chose the death anniversary of Khasi freedom fighter U Tirot Sing on Monday to send out a strong message to the government.
While the Khasi Students’ Union, which is in the forefront of the protests, threatened to walk out of Wednesday’s meeting if the project in Ri Bhoi is not scrapped, the Hynniewtrep Youth Council (HYC) staged a sit-in protest at the monument of U Tirot Sing in city.
However, in contrast to KSU’s demand for entry and exit points, HYC reiterated its demand for Inner Line Permit (ILP) to check influx. The group disapproved setting up of entry-exit points.
Speaking at the gathering at Dinam Hall before taking out a rally, HYC general secretary Robert Kharjahrin said, “As an organisation we have made it clear that we will not accept the railway project if ILP is not in place.”
HYC had earlier submitted a memorandum to the State Government on their 14-point charter of demands, which included introduction of ILP, issuance of work and residential permits and implementation of law on benami transaction, among other things. “We are back to the same battle. We will intensify our agitation if the State Government fails to meet our demands,” Kharjahrin said.
Prior to the demonstration, the group took out a rally from Dinam Hall in Jaiaw to IGP Point where members shouted slogans.
HYC president Peter Lawai said, “We are slaves in our own land. Meghalaya does not have any law/rule to define as to who is a Meghalaya subject unlike in Sikkim, which has the Sikkim Subject Regulation, and Assam that has the Assam Accord.”
But he added there should not be any conflict between the central and the state laws.
Addressing KSU members at a programme organised at Madan Iewrynghep in Laitumkhrah to mark the 182nd death anniversary of Tirot Sing, union president Lambokstarwell Marngar said group leaders are ready to fight for the cause of the indigenous community despite the random arrests and police high-handedness.
“Twenty-six KSU members have been arrested so far. But we won’t go into hiding as many KSU members will continue to agitate. If there is bloodshed, the chief minister (Mukul Sangma) and his ministers will be held responsible,” he said as he remembered the bravery of the tribal leader who fought against British soldiers.
Marngar, who ruled out any compromise, said the organisation would walk out of the meeting with the chief minister on July 19 if the State Government fails to take a decision on stalling the railway project.
“The sacrifice of U Tirot Sing did not go in vain as we as a community is still facing a tough fight on various issues. We have to follow in his footsteps,” he added.
Later in the day, the Khun Hynniewtrep National Awakening Movement (KHNAM) observed a minute’s silence after paying floral tribute.
KHNAM working president Adelbert Nongrum said, “We have to fight against the issues pertaining to railways and influx till the end… KSU and other organisations should unite to address the various issues.”
Parties observe anniv
BJP Shillong City unit organised a wreath-laying function and observed two minutes’ silence at Madan Iewrynghep, Laitumkhrah.
The state BJP had presented citation to the next of kin of U Tirot Sing Syiem during the celebration of the 70th Independence Day last year at Hima Nongkhlaw which was handed over by Union Minister of State for Development of North East Region Jitendra Singh.
UDP and FKJGP also paid tributes to the Khasi freedom fighter at Madan Iewrynghep.
