KSU, HYC oppose govt’s decision to bring labourers from outside the state

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaMay 30, 2020

 The Khasi Students Union (KSU) and the Hynniewtrep Youth Council (HYC) have strongly opposed against the state government’s decision to bring in highly-skilled labourers from outside into the state.

HYC general secretary Roy Kupar Synrem in a statement issued on Saturday said such decision to allow companies and contractors to engage labour force from other states will only pose serious threat to the health safety of the people of the state due to COVID-19 pandemic.

“Therefore, we demand the state government to immediately cancel its decision till such time that the state is free from coronavirus. As of now, we totally reject this idea which is seen as nothing but to appease few employers,” Synrem said.

The HYC has also decided to activate its Sier Lapalang Operation (SLO) to ensure no labourers from outside enters the state.

“We have requested all our members across the Khasi-Jaintia Hills region to conduct operation in their respective jurisdiction. We also warned all companies and contractors not to engage labourers from outside the state,” Roy said.

After a review meeting on Friday, Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong had announced that the government has decided to grant special permission for highly-skilled labourers from outside the state.

He had said that after construction works have re-started in the state, it was found that the highly skilled labourers including technicians and operators are not available within the state (as most of them have left due to COVID-19).

“Therefore, contractors who needs to bring in highly skilled labourers from outside the state, have to furnish all required information to the respective deputy commissioners (DCs) through recommendation of concerned government departments and accordingly permission will be granted,” Tynsong had informed.

In a separate statement, KSU South West Khasi Hills president Forwardman Nongrem has termed the decision of the government as a “suicide mission”.

“The government has to take full responsibility if the COVID-19 cases increases in the state,” he said.

He said villages under South West Khasi Hills district have spent a lot of money to set up community quarantine centres for residents returning from outside the state. “We are totally confident that due to such efforts put in, there will be no community transmission in the district as all quarantine centres are well equipped  but this decision to welcome labourers from other states can be seen as a suicide mission on the part of the government,” he said.   

Nongrem said all members of the different circles and units have been also been asked to oppose the anti-local policy of the government and ensure no migrant labourer is allowed to enter the district as well as Mawsynram block.