By Our Reporter
Shillong, March 23: Veteran political leader Bindo Mathew Lanong on Sunday said that the statement of the KSU accusing political leaders of failing to protect the rights of the indigenous people is not acceptable.
“It is unfair to make such a remark. We should remember that the state government, in the past several years, had legislated many important legislations for the good of the state and its people,” Lanong said.
He further mentioned that some of the legislations that were enacted include the Meghalaya Transfer of Land (Regulation) Act of 1971, the Meghalaya Public Premises (Eviction of Unauthorised Occupants) Act of 1980, the Meghalaya School Education Act of 1988, Meghalaya State Language Act of 2005 among many others.
The veteran political leader said that even the Autonomous District Councils (ADCs) of the state which are led by elected public representatives have their laws to protect the people of the state, their institution and interest.
According to him, the KSU should try to work together to support the interests of the indigenous people and for the development of the state.
“Time demands that we should work together rather than pointing their fingers against the government and political leaders on flimsy ground,” Lanong added.
Earlier, the KSU had blamed political leaders of Meghalaya for failing to protect the interests of the Khasi indigenous community, forcing the union to spearhead a campaign towards this end since 1979.
Addressing a gathering during the KSU NEIAH fresher’s meet cum felicitation ceremony for students who completed their BHMS and BAMS at the North Eastern Institute of Ayurveda & Homoeopathy (NEIAH), KSU general secretary Donald V Thabah stated that KSU has always taken the lead in defending the rights of the indigenous tribes, whether the issue is one of land alienation, safety, or maintaining the state’s demographic structure.
According to him, KSU was at the forefront of the campaign against illegal immigration and influx in the state.
He noted that the students’ body has also begun to address socially relevant issues, such as offering relief during natural disasters, among other things.