SHILLONG, OCT 8: Telling Home Minister Prestone Tynsong to quit if he cannot handle his department, the Khasi Students’ Union on Thursday accused him of diverting attention from police extortion by raking up its August 19 rally.

The KSU was reacting to Tynsong’s statement on October 6 where he had linked the rally with the alleged illegal money collection by police.

“When the police have been seen publicly collecting money illegally, then investigate who gave the permission, investigate who benefited, and take action according to the law,” KSU Information and Publicity Secretary Pynshai Kupar M Dkhar said in a press statement.

The Union made it clear that it will not be diverted. “The KSU will not be diverted by these ‘political gymnastics.’ Do not change the issue. Answer the question,” Dkhar said.

Stating that the attempt to club two separate issues was condemnable, he said, “The five demands put forward by the KSU before the Government are founded on principles and are for the welfare and well-being of the indigenous people. The illegal collection of money or the wrongdoing of the police and the public agitation of the KSU are two different matters.”

The Union did not mince words while hitting out at Tynsong personally.

“Linking all these together does not make the questions raised by the public to the Home Department disappear; rather, it only shows your childishness as a public representative,” Dkhar said, using a sharp analogy that the minister was trying “to wipe away the milk that has already spilled on the ground and letting out the cat that has come out of your own bag.”

Reminding Tynsong of his own preaching, the KSU said, “As you always say and teach others, think a hundred times before you speak.”

It further cautioned that his attempt to defend those involved may backfire. “Otherwise, the words you intend to use to defend those who are involved and those close to you may come back and affect you more severely than the very question you are trying to run away from,” the statement said.

Raising a direct question on accountability, the KSU said if the Home Department cannot give a clear answer on the actions of people under its supervision, the public should not ask “Who were those troublemakers at the KSU rally?” but “Who exactly is supervising and responsible for the Home Department?”

“And if leading the Home Department has become too difficult, there is a dignified way out, that is, to step down from the Chair,” Dkhar added.