SHILLONG : Khasi Students Union (KSU) president Raymond Kharjana has asserted that imprisonment will not weaken the organisation’s fighting spirit, saying attempts to demoralise its leaders through office raids and social media attacks will not succeed.

Kharjana and KSU general secretary Reuben Najiar were released on bail on Friday following their arrest in connection with the violence during the union’s black flag bike rally on August 19. After their release, the two leaders were taken in a procession from Shillong District Jail to the KSU office at Jaiaw.

Addressing members after his release, Kharjana described jail as a place of learning and reflection, saying the experience had strengthened their understanding of issues affecting the Khasi community.

“Jail is a big school that sharpens the mature thought of every member,” he said.

Kharjana said their time in custody had allowed them to reflect on problems facing the community that they might have overlooked while occupied with their regular activities outside.

“Some issues we could see and understand only because we were inside. Outside, in our busy work, we sometimes cannot see with our own eyes. Sitting there, we could think about many issues that hit our community hard,” he said.

KSU to Pursue Five-Point Demands

The KSU president said the union’s five-point demands remained a priority, adding that discussions on these issues had continued even while its frontline leaders were in jail.

He said some of the demands had started to take shape, while others required further follow-up.

“We have seen that some demands have started to take shape, but some still need to be followed up. We will now sit and discuss those issues, but first we will pursue these five demands,” Kharjana said.

He also praised members of the Central Executive Committee (CEC) who continued the organisation’s work during the leaders’ absence.

Kharjana thanked former KSU leaders for standing by the union, describing them as brothers and advisers who had not abandoned the organisation during the period when its frontline leaders were behind bars.

‘Our Fighting Spirit Will Not Be Destroyed’

Sending a strong message to KSU members, Kharjana said the arrest and imprisonment of its leaders would not discourage the organisation from continuing its activities.

“We have always said in the union that one foot is in jail and the other outside. This jail stay will not destroy the fighting spirit of arrested leaders,” he said.

He also referred to the attack on the KSU office and alleged attempts to tarnish the image of its leaders on social media, saying such actions would not break the union’s morale.

“People saw how our office was attacked and how there were attempts to tarnish leaders on different social media to break our morale, but they cannot erase our spirit of struggle,” he said.

Kharjana urged every member to remain prepared for future challenges, asserting that the union would continue its struggle to protect the land and interests of the Khasi community.

“While some demands are taking shape, our struggle for the land and community will continue to highlight the dangers that await us,” he added.