KSU flags graft, picks holes in recruitment

SHILLONG/ NONGSTOIN, July 17: In the backdrop of multiple allegations against the state government regarding graft, the Khasi Students’ Union (KSU) has advised the state government to constitute a separate cell whose job would be to look into the all corruption charges in the state.
Mooting this idea while addressing a gathering during the commemoration of the 187th death anniversary of legendary freedom fighter U Tirot Sing Syiem here on Sunday, KSU president Lambokstar Marngar said that there are many cases of corruption in the state.
He pinpointed that some sitting in the Secretariat are involved in rampant corruption.
Marngar recalled that the union since 2018 had impressed upon the state government to come up with a legislation to ensure there is transparency in the recruitment process in various government departments.
“We strongly suspect that there is some hidden agenda on the part of the government for refusing to streamline the recruitment process,” the KSU president said.
Raising a much-debated over subject, he said the implementation of inner line permit (ILP) is another issue which hangs fire despite the Assembly passing a resolution in December 2019.
During the observance of the death anniversary of the great freedom fighter, members of the KSU and other pressure groups paid floral tributes to the life-size statue of U Tirot Sing at Fire Brigade.
Joining the groups, members of the Shillong Socio-Cultural Assamese Students’ Association (SSASA) also offered their prayers at the venue.
Meanwhile, another programme was organised to commemorate the occasion at Madan Nongrah, Nongkhlaw, Eastern West Khasi Hills, by the Tirot Sing Syiemlieh Death Anniversary Committee, Hima Nongkhlaw in collaboration with the Centre For Historical Research, Synod College, Shillong, and Arts and Culture department.
Speaking as the guest of the programme, Rajya Sabha member, Dr WR Kharlukhi reminded the gathering that a list comprising 115 unsung heroes of India’s freedom movement has been put up by the central government which includes the name of Khasi patriot and freedom fighter U Tirot Sing Syiem alongside other freedom fighters from the other regions of the country.
Speaking about the contributions made by U Tirot Sing Syiem, Kharlukhi said albeit the braveheart breathed his last 187 years ago, his legacy still lives and his valour is celebrated to this day not just at Nongkhlaw but throughout Meghalaya.
He advised the gathering to inculcate the spirit of patriotism that U Tirot Sing exhibited during the fight against British Raj.
On the sidelines, a memorandum for construction of a life-size statue of U Tirot Sing Syiem at Nongkhlaw and a children’s park in memory of the great patriot was submitted by the Tirot Sing Syiemlieh Death Anniversary Committee, Hima Nongkhlaw, to the chief guest.
Earlier in the day, floral wreaths were laid by the Rajya Sabha member and other dignitaries at the bust of U Tirot Sing Syiem located in Khasi Patriotic Home, Nongkhlaw.