Shillong, Jan 8: The Khasi Students’ Union (KSU) has asked the state government to put to an end its move to acquire land for setting up of the Border Security Force’s battalion headquarter in South West Khasi Hills district.
A memorandum in this regard was submitted by a delegation of the KSU-South West Khasi Hills District led by its president, Forwardman Nongrem who met the district deputy commissioner on Monday.
“We have demanded from the government through the district authority to withdraw all letters for the purpose of acquiring land for the setting up of the BSF’s battalion headquarter in Mawkyrwat area within one week,†Nongrem said in a statement issued here.
He said the Union will be compelled to take other means of action if the office of the deputy commissioner fails to pay heed to the request.
Condemning the proposed move, Nongrem alleged that the decision to acquire land for the BSF was taken without consulting with traditional institutions and people of the district.
Moreover, the KSU leader questioned the motive of the state government to station the BSF headquarter in tension-free places instead of areas along the international border with Bangladesh.
“Many places in South West Khasi Hills, except only those locating just few kilometers away from Bangladesh, are still living peacefully and does not require the presence of paramilitary forces as of now,†he said.
Nongrem also warned agents who are supporting this move that the union was prepared to fight against any attempt to forcefully set up the BSF camp in the area.
He reminded that the stand of the people of the district was very clear at a meeting held at Mawkyrwat last year that they would strongly oppose any move to give land to the BSF in areas under Mawkyrwat, Umdohlun and Wahkaji.
“We will continue to oppose this move and we will wait for the response of the deputy commissioner before we decide our future course of action,†Nongrem stated.
