Shillong: The Khasi Students Union slapped the Meghalaya government with a 15-day ultimatum on Monday. They warned of statewide protests if their demands remain unmet. The union fired off a letter to Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma to express their frustration. They cited broken promises and what they call a dictatorial approach to local governance.
The union demands an immediate cancellation of the July 31 public hearing for Shree Cements limestone project in Lum Syrman. They want the Deputy Commissioner, the Superintendent of Police of East Jaintia Hills, and officials from the Meghalaya State Pollution Control Board suspended. The KSU claims these officials failed to ensure a fair process. They allege police worked hand in glove with company hirelings to block roads and intimidate opponents. The union noted that police used tear gas, caused vehicle damage, and arrested leaders to keep locals away from the site.
Progress stalled on the Meghalaya Residents Safety and Security Act of 2016. The KSU wants the government to build entry and exit facilitation centres immediately. They also demanded the enforcement of amendments to the Migrant Workers Act of 2020 approved on August 3, 2024. These changes would mandate police verification and registration for workers.
The KSU also pointed to unmet promises regarding NEIGRIHMS recruitment dating back to May 2025. They are pushing for reforms within the Meghalaya Public Service Commission. This includes removing personal interviews for lower-tier posts and prioritizing jobs for local residents. They also want a formal resolution against uranium mining and the removal of the Atomic Minerals Directorate office from Nongmensong. Failure to act will lead to chaos. The union stated it has no other option but to resort to different kinds of agitation if the state ignores these deadlines.
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