MAWKYRWAT, Oct 24: The Khasi Students’ Union (KSU) has reiterated its stand on linking the state with railways by stating that it will fight tooth and nail against rail link to Shillong, whether it is for goods or passengers, as long as the state government is unable to implement the Inner Line Permit (ILP) and other laws to tackle influx.
Speaking at a meeting in Diwah village, South West Khasi Hills, on Saturday, KSU president Lambokstar Marngar said, “…as long as we don’t see any laws that will protect the ‘Jaitbynriew’ we will stand against rail link. If the state government wants to bring railway lines, first it should implement ILP, and then we will discuss whether to accept or not because as of now we have clearly seen that even though there is no railway, influx continues in different parts”.
Stating that many people have accused the KSU of resisting development in the state, Marngar said that the Union does not come in the way of any development that does not affect the ‘Jaitbynriew’. “But the KSU we will continue to stand against anything that comes in the name of development, but has hidden agenda to destroy the ‘Jaitbynriew’ in the future,” he added.
Speaking on the menace of drug abuse, which he claims the KSU is fighting every day, Marngar called upon the Seng Longkmie, Seng Samla and different Dorbar Shnong to work together with the Union in eradicating the menace.