KSU-SWKH terms arrest of leader as cover up of govt’s anti-local policy

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaJune 11, 2020

The Khasi Students Union (KSU) has condemned the arrest of its leader from Mawkyrwat in South West Khasi Hills district in connection with the recent assault of a NHIDCL engineer.

“The arrest of the general secretary of KSU Mawkyrwat circle Rutherford Lyngdoh is a cover up of the anti-local policy of the deputy commissioner of South West Khasi Hills and the government authorities,” KSU-SWKH president Forwardman Nongrem said in a statement issued on Thursday.

Nongrem alleged that the action was also designed to silence the union’s stiff opposition against the government’s decision to bring workforce from outside the state in view of the increase cases of COVID-19 in the state.

“However, the union will continue to prevent such move of the government as we do not want the efforts put in by the villages through the COVID management committees to stop the spread of COVID-19 will go in vain by allowing outsiders to freely enter the state,” he said.

The president also accused the government authorities of being quick in imposing restrictions on local people in the district.

“We are also expressed surprise as to how the DC has come up with an appeal to allow labourers from outside to work in the state in the name of development but has no time to have consultations on how to address the problems faced by local traders and labourers due to lockdown,” he said.