Shillong, July 17: Paying rich tribute to the legendary Khasi freedom fighter – U Tirot Sing Syiem on his 190th death anniversary, the Khasi Students’ Union (KSU) has demanded the state government and the people in power to prioritise implementing effective laws to protect the land and its people, rather than just cutting ribbons at ceremonial events.
The KSU has also slammed lawmakers from both ruling and opposition for wasting time on allegations and counter-allegations instead of discussing and enacting laws that benefit the people.
“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 while addressing at a function organized 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 stated.
Marngar said the KSU has rased 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 the streets to intensify their demands.
The KSU chief also called on the youths to take responsibility for the safety and security of their motherland while emphasizing 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.
Marngar further raised concerns about the proposed railway projects accusing those involved of prioritizng 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 while urging the people not to be mere spectators but to hold those in power accountable for their actions.
The KSU chief said that the union is committed to pursue issues concerning safety and security of the indigenous people while emphasizing 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 their society, often disguising themselves as sympathizers.
Marngar highlighted the need to address social issues such as drug menace and increasing theft cases in Shillong, questioning why these problems are affecting their society despite their cultural values.
Also speaking on the importance of unity and firmness in the face of challenges, he urged the community to detect and remove “blacksheep” who prioritize 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 stated.
In his speech, Chairman of the North East Student Organizations (NESO) Samuel Jyrwa spoke about the ongoing struggle of the Khasi people for their land and rights while observing the 190th death anniversary of U Tirot Sing Syiem.
Jyrwa questioned 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. He emphasized the need for the youth to stand and fight to remain masters of their land and to face challenges ahead.
Jyrwa highlighted 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. He stressed the importance of continuing this struggle to protect the community’s interests.
 has demanded the state government and the people in power to prioritise implementing effective laws to protect the land and its people, rather than just cutting ribbons at ceremonial events.){kind=link}