KSU takes out protest march to Assembly demanding revoking of MISPF, introduction of railways in Khasi Jaintia region   

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaMarch 11, 2025

The Khasi Students’ Union (KSU) on Tuesday took out a protest march to the state Assembly against the proposed move of the government to pass the amendment of the Meghalaya State Investment Promotion and Facilitation Act, 2024 and introduction of railway lines in the Khasi and Jaintia Hills region. 

Armed with blue flags, banners and placards, activists of the KSU also shouted anti-MSIPF and anti-railway slogans.

However, they were prevented from marching towards the Assembly.

The KSU has been demanding the government to revoke the amendment of the MSIPF alleging that it is seeking to facilitate direct purchase of land for alloment to private investors, which is totally against the spirit of the Meghalaya Land Transfer Act. 

The KSU also strongly opposed the move of the government to introduce railway line in absence of effective anti-influx mechanisms.

“First implement the Inner Line Permit then talk about railway line,” one of the placards read.

Speaking to reporters, KSU general secretary Donald V Thabah said the protest is to convey a clear message that the KSU will intensify its protest if the government fails to pay heed to its demands. 

“It is als to convey a message to the government that we vehemently opposed the MSIPF and also the introduction of railways in any parts of the Khasi and Jaintia Hills region,” he added.

With regards to the MSIPF, Thabah said, “We demand the government to revoke the amendment of the MSIPF as it is draconian and anti-tribal. This will be detrimental as we are going to lose huge chunk of lands and for us tribal without land is as good as death.”

“Despite letters being sent to the government and 6 legislators, there has been no response till date. However, we have given an option to the government and is to repeal the Act because if land is being directly given to private investors then it will go against the land transfer act,”he said adding “Creation of land banks is very dangerous as if you leased out huge acres of land to private investors then we stand to lose. Apart from land, we also lose employment opportunities as this Act will only benefit a few people.”

Stating that railways would only increase influx of outsiders into Meghalaya, Thabah said, “In Nagaland’s Dimapur, Nagas have become minorities infront of outsiders as ILP in Nagaland is not in the entire state. If you go to Dimapur you will see the reality of what happened in Dimapur and Nagaland.”

“We understand railways are important. Some people say if railway comes essential commodities will be cheaper but Shillong is only 100 kms from Guwahati and Imphal is 300 kms from Guwahati then why are essential commodities are cheaper in Manipur than in Meghalaya. That is the question since Manipur also doesn’t have railways,” he said. 

“Yes, railways might bring benefits but we can understand that it is more of a bane than a boon as it will bring more influx and then we will be reduced to minority in our own land,” the KSU leader maintained.