MAWKYRWAT, May 25: Youths from every nook and cranny of South West Khasi Hills on Thursday came together for a peace rally at Mawkyrwat, expressing solidarity with Voice of the People’s Party (VPP) chief Ardent Miller Basaiawmoit, who is on an indefinite hunger strike demanding the review of the job reservation policy.
The rally, called by ‘Ka Sur U Paitbah’, started from Sngap Syiem College, Mawkyrwat, and culminated at Mawkyrwat Market.
The peace rally was attended by men, women and mostly youths, who were seen holding placards condemning the state government and demanding review of the state reservation policy.
According to Ka Sur U Paitbah, the main objective of the peace rally was to extend support to the VPP president, who is on an indefinite hunger strike, demanding review of the job reservation policy.
Making it clear that this was not a fight between Khasis and Garos but a fight against the government for not providing justice to the Khasi youths, the Ka Sur U Paitbah said that the rally was also held to demand of the local MLAs from the district to raise their voice on the issue.
Following the culmination of the rally, a meeting was subsequently held during which Chairman of the Synjuk ki Seng Samla Shnong, Wallambok Syiemiong, who is one of the active members of the Ka Sur U Paitbah, said, “If other laws can be amended, why not review the job reservation policy which has existed now for more than 50 years? We are not against our Garo brothers, and they should understand that”
Former president of the Federation of Khasi-Jaintia & Garo People (FKJGP) South West Khasi Hills, Ailad Nongrem, and VPP candidate from Ranikor, Overlin Imiong, warned that if the government remained adamant on the issue, the leaders of the Ka Sur U Paitbah will resort to agitation.
