By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, June 6: The Khasi Students’ Union (KSU) has presented the state government with a 20-point ultimatum, conditioning future infrastructure projects like railways on the immediate implementation of the Inner Line Permit (ILP) and demanding a radical purge of “non-indigenous” Scheduled Tribes from the state’s constitutional benefits.
In a memorandum handed to Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma on Saturday, the union made it clear that its demands are a direct response to the escalating pressures on the state’s identity and resources.
The union’s primary leverage rests on its opposition to railway projects and uranium-related activities. The KSU insists these will remain blocked until a robust influx mechanism, specifically the ILP, is implemented. They further demanded that the Meghalaya Residents Safety and Security Act (MRSSA) be made fully operational as an interim measure.
In a move targeting the state’s constitutional framework, the charter demands the removal of “other Scheduled Tribes” from the Constitutional Order of 1950, effectively seeking to restrict benefits solely to the state’s indigenous tribes.
The memorandum also addresses systemic corruption and administrative delays. The KSU demanded an overhaul of the Meghalaya Public Service Commission (MPSC) and District Selection Committees (DSCs). Key reforms include the abolition of personal interviews for Grade B, C, and D posts to ensure transparency, and a mandatory annual declaration of assets and liabilities by all government employees.
Regarding state sovereignty and resources, the union pressed for a swift resolution to the protracted inter-state border dispute and the introduction of a Land Ceiling Act. It also called for the inclusion of the Khasi language in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution.
On the economic and social front, the union warned that the state’s progress is being hindered by inadequate infrastructure. The charter demands the establishment of rehabilitation centres for substance abuse, improved recruitment at NEIGRIHMS, and a policy that mandates private companies to hire local indigenous youth. For the agrarian sector, the KSU demanded immediate investment in cold storage facilities and enhanced support for farmers.
The KSU stated that these demands are non-negotiable, noting that the issues raised have a direct bearing on the survival and economic welfare of the people of Meghalaya. The government has been urged to take immediate action to avoid further agitation.
