SHILLONG – The Meghalaya government has three days to show whether the law will be applied equally, the Khasi Students’ Union (KSU) said on Friday, demanding arrests over the alleged violence surrounding the Lum Syrman limestone mining public hearings.
The union demanded action against those allegedly involved in vandalising vehicles, digging up roads and attacking people who opposed the public hearing for Shree Cement Ltd’s proposed limestone mining project in East Jaintia Hills.
The demand followed a meeting of the KSU Central Executive Committee to review the five points submitted to the government and the assurances given during the August 26 meeting at the Secretariat.
The KSU questioned why several of its members had been arrested and booked despite what it described as insufficient evidence, while no arrests had been made over the alleged attacks during the public hearings held on July 20 and 31 at Lum Syrman in Elaka Nongkhlieh.
“When the law is meant for everyone and no one is above the law, why is it being applied selectively against KSU members, who are being arrested without sufficient evidence?” the union asked.
The union said nearly two months had passed without an arrest in those cases. It demanded that those responsible be arrested within three days, including government officials if an investigation establishes their involvement.
The KSU warned that failure to act would force it to reconsider the temporary suspension of its agitation announced on August 26 and resume protests. The union also said it would continue tracking the five commitments made by the government, particularly the operationalisation of facilitation centres at Umling and Ratacherra and implementation of the Migrant Workmen Act within the promised 20-day period.
It also raised concern over what it said as repeated cases against its leaders, including the summons issued to Samuel Kharbani, general secretary of the KSU Shillong Mihngi Circle, over the protest against construction of a temple inside the CBI office at New Shillong.
The union also referred to cases linked to the motorcycle rally held on August 19. The KSU said its temporary silence should not be mistaken for acceptance of government inaction.
“The talks will have meaning only if they result in action. The patience of the people and youth of the State should not be taken as acceptance of the Government’s inaction,” it said.
Three days now puts the government’s earlier assurances against a deadline. If no arrests follow, the KSU has already made clear what comes next: the suspended agitation could return.
