SHILLONG: The Khasi Students’ Union (KSU) that elected Lambokstarwell Marngar as its new president on Saturday vowed to continue focusing on the contentious issues like ILP implementation, railways and uranium mining.
Speaking to media persons after the 13th general election of KSU for the term of 2017-2020 in the city on Saturday, Marngar said the union has not abandoned its demand for the Inner Line Permit (ILP) system.
“It was the State Government that expressed its inability to implement ILP. This led the union to suggest measures for a comprehensive mechanism to tackle the issue of influx,” he said.
Calling for fast implementation of the comprehensive mechanism, the newly elected KSU president said, “If the government keeps on delaying, we as a new body will have to give a second thought on this.”
Marngar also asserted that KSU would not allow uranium mining in Meghalaya at any cost.
The Department of Atomic Energy has decided to develop uranium resources at Domiasiat under the name of ‘Kylleng-Pdengsohiong-Mawthabah (KPM) Uranium Mining Project’.
On railways in Meghalaya, the KSU president said the union would continue to oppose railways in the State till the government put in place effective laws to control influx.
Marngar was elected unopposed on Saturday. Over 3,000 activists from 350 units across the Khasi-Jaintia Hills region, besides Assam and Manipur, participated in the election process.
He will officially take over charge from the outgoing KSU chief Daniel Khyriem in the upcoming swearing-in ceremony of the new body, the date for which will be announced after the central executive council next week. Outgoing president Khyriem urged the new leaders and members of the union to be prepared to fight for the cause of the indigenous community.
Along with Marngar, Shemphang Lyngdoh Mawphlang and Donald V Thabah were also elected unopposed as vice president and general secretary, respectively.
The election was held only for five posts and those elected include Sonstar Nongkhlaw as assistant general secretary, Biangbor Paliar as organising secretary, Readyonstone Nongrum as education secretary, Rapbor Nongrum as publicity secretary and Spaindorsing Lyngkhoi as office secretary.
