Don’t hunt down union members: Khasi Student Union (KSU) to Government

Khasi Student Union
Khasi Student Union

AMD officials’ assault case

A Reporter

SHILLONG, July 29: The Khasi Student Union (KSU) South West Khasi Hills has asked the district administration to stop provoking the members of the union by hunting them down for the alleged assault of three Atomic Mineral Division (AMD) officials at Wahkaji, South West Khasi Hills.

It may be reminded that on July 25 the officials of the Atomic Mineral Division (AMD) by-passed the district authorities before venturing into exploration work in Wahkaji, South West Khasi Hills and later three AMD officials were assaulted by unknown miscreants.

Wahkaji belt is considered as ‘security vulnerable area’ for AMD officials in view of the strong resistance from the different pressure groups to the pending uranium exploration and extraction. “Despite not being involved in the incident the police and district authorities have been hunting for our members in the region and this has caused a lot of problems for their family members,” Marconi Thongni, president KSU (SWKH) told reporters here.

He also demanded that both the Atomic Mineral Division and Uranium Corporation of India (UCIL) should immediately vacate Wahkaji and remove all the heavy machines from South and West Khasi Kills.

“If they do not pay any heed to our demands then the union will have to give our own appropriate answer to their non-compliance,” he said.
The Union leader also urged the state government to take interest on the needs of the local people of the state before giving looking at the interest of people from outside the state.

“Even if the district administration is trying to deter our members by hunting them, however, we will not back down when it concerns the issue of uranium mining in the state,” he said.

He also said that the district authorities should have instead taken action against the AMD officials who had by-passed both the district council and state government.

It may be reminded that the house of KSU vice president, Shemphang Nonglang was searched twice at Rangblang village on July 27 at 7 pm and 1 am respectively in relation to the assault incident.