Shillong: The Khasi Students’ Union has shut down construction at the Umling entry point. Activists accuse the Meghalaya government of choosing commercial gains over security. The site was meant to be a Facilitation Centre to track outsiders. Now, officials want a food court.
KSU leaders met with Ri Bhoi Deputy Commissioner Dr. Abhishek Saini on Thursday. The union stands firm against the project. KSU unit president Ferdynald Kharkamni said the government betrayed its promise. The site only covers two acres. Cramming a food court into that space will choke traffic.
Kharkamni questioned the project's transparency and the fate of 32 staff members hired back in 2020. The union claims they were kept in the dark about the construction tender. "The government must decide whether this site is a food court or a Facilitation Centre," Kharkamni said.
The union demands a ironclad guarantee. The facility must function as a security checkpoint to catch illegal migrants and drug smugglers. They will block any work until the state provides a clear answer. The Deputy Commissioner is now consulting with the state government to resolve the standoff.
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