Photo Courtesy: nenews
Shillong: The Khasi Students’ Union (KSU) held a symbolic protest across Shillong on Thursday to press the central government for urgent action on key regional issues. The campaign coincided with Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s arrival in the state for the 73rd Plenary Session of the North Eastern Council.
Members of the union displayed placards at sites including Polo Grounds to highlight their primary demand for the implementation of the Inner Line Permit (ILP). The organization maintains that the permit system is vital for controlling the influx of outsiders and protecting the rights of the indigenous population. They questioned why the system has been extended to Manipur while Meghalaya remains excluded, noting that "the ILP as a necessary safeguard against illegal immigration" should not be perceived as a barrier to development.
Beyond the permit system, the KSU used the high-profile visit to call for a definitive resolution to the lingering boundary dispute between Meghalaya and Assam. The union urged the Government of India to prioritize the protection of the state's territorial integrity.
Environmental and institutional concerns also dominated the protest. The KSU reiterated its firm opposition to uranium mining, citing the potential for ecological and community damage. Furthermore, the union raised alarms over recruitment delays at the North Eastern Indira Gandhi Regional Institute of Health and Medical Sciences (NEIGRIHMS). Leaders argued that filling medical vacancies is essential for strengthening the regional healthcare workforce.
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