Shillong, March 11: The KSU activists staged protests on Tuesday on the Garrison Bridge leading to Meghalaya Legislative Assembly, Rilbong demanding scrapping of Meghalaya State Investment Promotion Facilitation (MSIPF) Act 2024.
The amendment to the Act was tabled in Assembly in the form of Meghalaya State Investment Promotion & Facilitation( Amendment) Bill 2025.
According to the KSU general secretary Donald Thabah, the new investment promotion initiative is against the Land Transfer Act.
The student’s body also wanted an anti-influx mechanism before railway is introduced in the state.
The KSU activists wanted to march towards the Assembly but were prevented by the security personnel and hence they decided to protest on Garrison Bridge.
Earlier, following criticism, the government amended certain controversial parts of the Act
One of the amendments was removal of para 34 of the Act and by adding a line that this Act shall not be in derogation of the Meghalaya Land Transfer Regulation Act, 1971.
However, the KSU wanted the government to revoke the amendment of the MSIPF as it is draconian and anti-tribal. This will be detrimental as we are going to lose huge chunk of land and for us tribals without land is as good as death”, he said.
“Despite letters being sent to the government and 6 legislators, there has been no response till date. However, we have given an option to the government and is to repeal the Act because if land is being directly given to private investors then it will go against the land transfer act and reation of land banks is very dangerous as if you lease out huge acres of land to private investors then we stand to lose. Apart from land, we also lose employment opportunities as this Act will only benefit a few people”, he added.
Railways
According to the KSU leader, railways would only increase influx of outsiders into Meghalaya,
Thabah said, “In Nagaland’s Dimapur, Nagas have become minorities infront of outsiders as ILP in Nagaland is not in the entire state. If you go to Dimapur you will see the reality of what happened in Dimapur and Nagaland.”
“We understand railways are important. Some people say if railway comes essential commodities will be cheaper but Shillong is only 100 kms from Guwahati and Imphal is 300 kms from Guwahati then why are essential commodities are cheaper in Manipur than in Meghalaya. That is the question since Manipur also doesn’t have railways,” he said.
“Yes, railways might bring benefits but we can understand that it is more of a bane than a boon as it will bring more influx and then we will be reduced to minority in our own land,” Thabah added.
