SHILLONG, April 3: The KSU has yet again reiterated its opposition to the proposed railway projects in Meghalaya without any special protection for the indigenous population.
The union, however, made it amply clear that they are ready to discuss the railway projects only if the Centre agrees to give special protection to the indigenous Khasi population of the state by implementing the Inner Line Permit or provisions like Article 371 (A) (Special provision with respect to the State of Nagaland) or 371 (G) (Special provision with respect to the State of Mizoram).
Speaking exclusively to The Shillong Times, KSU general secretary Donald V. Thabah said that the union fears that the indigenous people will be outnumbered by people from outside in the absence of a strong mechanism and legislation to deal with the problem of influx.
Citing an example, the KSU general secretary said that the Khasi population has been outnumbered by the non-indigenous population in areas falling within the Shillong Municipality even without railways.
He said that there will be a serious threat to the very existence of the microscopic indigenous population if railways come to this part of the state without any strong legislation to thwart the unregulated entry of people from outside.
Thabah was particularly critical of the state government for shying away from its responsibility by saying that the decision to implement ILP lies with the Centre.
“We understand that it is Centre which will give the nod for implementation of ILP. But the state government should also show its seriousness in pursuing this issue with the Centre,” he said.
According to him, the state government should show evidence that it is pursuing the issue of ILP with the Centre. “The government has been saying that the ball is in the Centre’s court whenever media persons ask about ILP,” the KSU general secretary pointed out.
Meanwhile, the KSU, which is observing the Khasi National Awakening Day on Tuesday, said that they are likely to discuss various pending issues like the interstate border row, inclusion of Khasi language in the Eight Schedule and relocation of the Harijan Colony from Them Iew Mawlong, among others during the general executive committee meeting.
Thabah said the union will also discuss issues raised by the presidents and general secretaries of its various units and circles including from other states like Manipur, Mizoram, Assam, Delhi, Dehradun, Bengaluru and Mangaluru.
“We would primarily discuss constitution of a new body of the central executive committee since the term of the present body has ended,” the KSU general secretary said.
He further mentioned that Indian folk metal band Dymbur will release their song U Tirot Sing at 5 pm on Tuesday. T-shirts will also be sold on the same day.
