SHILLONG : The Khasi Students’ Union (KSU) on Wednesday welcomed the Meghalaya government’s decision to order an independent probe into the Shree Cement public hearing but warned that it would resume agitation if work on the project continues before the inquiry is completed.
Former KSU president Lambokstarwell Marngar said the union’s primary demands remain the scrapping of the public hearing and action against officials allegedly responsible for irregularities.
“Our first demand is to scrap the public hearing and suspend the DC and SP of that district,” Marngar said after the KSU’s meeting with Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma over its five-point charter of demands.
KSU wants complete freeze on Shree Cement project
Marngar said the government has agreed to constitute a committee headed by independent persons, excluding the Deputy Commissioner and Superintendent of Police concerned, with local stakeholders included in the process.
The committee will examine concerns relating to agricultural land and alleged violations surrounding the public hearing.
The KSU has demanded that all activities connected with the project remain completely frozen until the inquiry report is submitted.
“We insisted that attempts to start Shree Cement should be totally stopped till the report is completed. We believe the government will keep its promise, but if work goes ahead, we too will do whatever is necessary,” Marngar said.
KSU seeks faster MRSSA implementation
On the Meghalaya Residents Safety and Security Act (MRSSA), 2016, Marngar said the KSU was informed that the 2020 amendment is still pending with the Centre for clarification.
He also said the court has dismissed a challenge to the existing Act.
The KSU has called for the immediate construction of priority facilitation centres at entry points. Marngar said that of the 18 entry gates identified under the 2016 framework, priority locations should be developed without further delay.
Umling facilitation centre to restart
On the controversy surrounding the facility at Umling, Marngar said the centre inaugurated in 2019 was subsequently used as a COVID-19 checkpoint and later as a food court.
He said the KSU had intervened to stop the work because the facility was not being used as originally intended.
Following the meeting, the Chief Minister assured the union that a joint inspection would be conducted and work to make the facilitation centre functional would resume.
Marngar said the centre should be operational within two months.
He added that land for the proposed centre at Ratacherra in East Jaintia Hills is expected to be acquired within three to four months after an earlier land proposal was rejected by betel nut farmers.
Migrant Workers Act to be strengthened
Regarding the Migrant Workers Act, 2020, Marngar said the KSU had raised concerns over weak provisions and suggested stronger police verification and penalty clauses similar to the Work Permit system.
He said the Cabinet has now approved measures to strengthen the provisions, with implementation expected within 15 days.
NEIGRIHMS recruitment issue
On recruitment at NEIGRIHMS, Marngar said the state government would facilitate a meeting between KSU representatives and the Union Health Minister.
He said the issue of providing greater recruitment opportunities for local candidates was also discussed.
MPSC reforms and arrested leaders
On recruitment reforms, Marngar said nearly 70 per cent of the 23 reforms recommended by the 2024 committee have been implemented, including the abolition of interviews for Group-C posts.
Commenting on the KSU leaders who were arrested during the recent agitation, Marngar said the union was not demanding their release.
“We do not demand their release. If there is agitation, there will be arrests. We continue to fight on the issues,” he said.