From Our Correspondent
MAWKYRWAT, Aug 30: Khasi Students’ Union (KSU), South West Khasi Hills, on Saturday demanded that the proposal to allot about 70 acres of agricultural land of Hima Maharam to the Border Security Force (BSF) for the establishment of a unit headquarters near the Mula River under Ranikor Civil Sub-Division be scrapped immediately.
In a surprise rally, KSU members marched to the office of the Syiem of Hima Maharam in Mawkyrwat, shouting slogans and carrying placards against the Syiem and his Executive Dorbar.
They were later joined by other pressure groups, including the Federation of Khasi, Jaintia and Garo People (FKJGP), Hynniewtrep Integrated Territorial Organisation (HITO), Hynniewtrep Youth Council (HYC), Hynniewtrep National Youth Front (HNYF) and Hynniewtrep Achik National Movement (HANM).
For over three hours, the protesters demanded a response before the Syiem, Paiem Niandro Syiemiong, eventually called the leaders for a meeting.
Speaking to the media after the meeting, KSU South West Khasi Hills president Forwardman Nongrem said the union, along with other NGOs, made it clear that they would not allow the land—on which hundreds of Khasi farmers depend for their livelihood—to be handed over to the BSF.
He said the groups had given the Syiem time till September 2 to convene a Special Executive Dorbar and announce the withdrawal of the proposal, failing which stronger action would follow.
Nongrem added that the KSU would oppose any land allocation by the Hima that harms the interests of its people.
“The Syiem gave the excuse that the BSF needs the land for national security, but we told him it is not up to him to worry about national security. As a Syiem, he should be concerned about ‘local security’, that is, protecting the children of the Hima,” he said.