Shillong, July17: KSU on Thursday asked the politicians to stop the blame game and instead make laws that benefit people.
Paying tribute to the Khasi freedom fighter U Tirot Sing Syiem on his 190th death anniversary, the KSU criticised lawmakers from both the ruling and opposition for wasting time on allegations and counter-allegations instead of discussing and enacting laws that benefit the people.
The KSU also demanded state government and the people in power to focus on implementing effective laws to protect the land and its people, rather than just cutting ribbons at ceremonial events.
“The state government and the people in power should not waste time in cutting ribbons but they should instead implement effective laws to protect the indigenous people and their land,” KSU chief Lambokstarwell Marngar said.
He was addressing a function organised in front of the statue of U Tirot Sing Syiem here on Thursday.
“People are sending legislators to the secretariat/Assembly to legislate laws for ensuring safety and security of our land and the people but these legislators from both the ruling and the opposition are seen wasting their times in making allegations and counter allegations instead of being busy to discuss and come up with important legslations that will protect our land and our people,” he said.
Marngar said the KSU had raised many issues concerning the safety and security of the indigenous community. He recalled many youth were arrested in 2013 during the Inner Line Permit (ILP) agitations and said that the lack of political will on the part of the government has forced people to take to the streets to intensify their demands.
The KSU president asked the youths to take responsibility for the safety and security of their motherland while emphasising that they should not depend solely on elected representatives.
“I want to say as long as we are still breathing, we should not lose hope, we should not depend on these contractual MLAs sitting in the secretariat but we need to stand firm on our ground to protect our land and our people,” he said.
Railway issue
Marngar raised concerns over the proposed railway projects accusing those involved of prioritisng personal benefits over the welfare of the people.
“When we try to find out on the reason behind this move to bring railways in the Khasi & Jaintia Hills, we found that thier motive is not to benefit the people but it is for their own benefits,” he said as he urged the people not to be mere spectators but to hold those in power accountable for their actions.
The KSU leader said that the union was committed to pursue issues concerning safety and security of the indigenous people while emphasising that the brave hearts don’t die as their works live on
He urged the community to be vigilant and identify external forces that seek to destroy the society, often disguising themselves as sympathisers.
Drug and theft issues
Marngar highlighted the need to address social issues such as drug menace and increasing theft cases in Shillong, questioning why these problems are affecting the society despite its cultural values.
Stressing the importance of unity and firmness in the face of challenges, he urged the community to detect and remove the “blacksheep” who prioritise personal benefits over the well-being of the community.
“We are confronted by enemies who are not from outside but they live amongst us. We have such people who are willing to sell this land for their own benefits. Therefore, I call upon you to detect and identify them as it is high time to remove such blacksheeps from our community,” he said.
Chairman of the North East Student Organisation (NESO) Samuel Jyrwa highlighted the struggle of the Khasi people for their land and rights while observing the 190th death anniversary of U Tirot Sing Syiem.
Jyrwa wanted to know whether the community has truly achieved a sense of security and independence despite 54 years of statehood and 78 years of India’s independence.
Jyrwa urged the younger generation to take responsibility for ensuring the safety and security of future generations while emphasising the need for the youth to stand and fight to remain masters of their land and to face challenges ahead.
Jyrwa pointed out about the history of struggles and protests by the Khasi people, citing instances in 1979, 1987, 1990, and recent times where people had to take to the streets to demand their rights.
