M’laya minister invites KSU for talks

SHILLONG, AUG 19: Meghalaya Health and Family Welfare Minister Wailad Shylla on Wednesday said the government is open to discussions with the Khasi Students’ Union (KSU) over their five-point charter of demands.
“We are ready to listen, deliberate to have a dialogue and I think that is the way forward,” Shylla said, urging the KSU to come forward and engage with the government through dialogue.
Shylla’s invitation for dialogue comes at a time when the influential KSU on Wednesday staged a banner protest campaign and black-flag bike rally, after the Union’s 15-day ultimatum to the government over its demands failed to yield positive results.
KSU activists hung banners at the main Secretariat gate and along the surrounding walls, beside in other parts of Shillong in protest against the government’s adamant attitude regarding their five-point charter of demands.
Chief Minister Conrad Sangma was not present in his office chamber. Police later removed the banners within minutes, and security was beefed up around the Secretariat to ensure law and order is maintained.
The five-point charter of demands includes the cancellation of the July 31 environmental public hearing for a Rs.1,800-crore integrated cement plant and limestone mining project by Shree Cements Ltd. at Lum Syrman in the East Jaintia Hills district.
It also sought the removal of the district magistrate, the district police chief, and officials of the Meghalaya State Pollution Control Board for allegedly blocking landowners and farmers from attending the statutory public hearing.
The other demands include immediate implementation of the Meghalaya Residents Safety and Security Act, 2016, enforcement of the 2024 amendments relating to migrant workers, reforms in government recruitment (including removal of personal interviews for Grade C and D posts), reservation of government jobs for Meghalaya residents, action on recruitment issues at NEIGRIHMS, implementation of the Inner Line Permit, and honouring of the government’s earlier commitment to oppose uranium mining.