NONGPOH : The Khasi Students’ Union (KSU) North Khasi Hills District Unit has reaffirmed its opposition to the proposed Food Court at Umling, maintaining that the Meghalaya government should first construct the long-promised Facilitation Centre before proceeding with any commercial project.
The union reiterated its stand after a meeting with Ri Bhoi Deputy Commissioner Dr. Abhishek Saini, who invited KSU leaders for discussions following the union’s recent protest that halted the construction work of the proposed Food Court at Umling.
The meeting was also attended by Ri Bhoi Superintendent of Police Giri Prasad, Tourist Officer B. Nongkynrih, Umling C&RD Block Development Officer Erick Dkhar, and members of the KSU North Khasi Hills District Unit led by its president Ferdinald Kharkamni.
Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Kharkamni clarified that the KSU is not opposed to the establishment of a Food Court in Ri Bhoi. However, he said the union strongly objects to the selected site because it had already been earmarked for the construction of a Facilitation Centre.
According to the KSU president, the Facilitation Centre has been a long-standing demand of the union for the effective implementation of the Meghalaya Residents Safety and Security Act (MRSSA), 2016.
He said the government should honour its earlier commitment by constructing the Facilitation Centre first, as it is considered essential for strengthening the implementation of the MRSSA and regulating the entry and exit of people into the state.
The KSU maintained that until the government fulfils its commitment to establish the Facilitation Centre at the designated location, it will continue to oppose the construction of the proposed Food Court at Umling.
The issue remains a key point of contention between the student body and the state government, with the KSU insisting that the implementation of the MRSSA should take precedence over commercial development at the site.