Police allowed KSU rally to continue for 2 hours despite violence, informed us through media: Reuben Najiar

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KSU Demands Closure of AMD Office, Urges Meghalaya Government to Reject Uranium Mining Shillong, July 14: The Khasi Students' Union (KSU) on Tuesday demanded that the Meghalaya Government immediately shut down the office of the Atomic Minerals Directorate (AMD) at Nongmensong and formally communicate to the Centre that the state will not permit uranium mining in Meghalaya. Addressing the media, KSU General Secretary Reuben A. Najiar said the union's concerns have resurfaced following recent remarks by Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh indicating that uranium mining could become a reality in Meghalaya. "There are clear signs that the uranium issue is being revived. People have started purchasing land in Domiasiat and other uranium-bearing areas. Influential individuals, including those with links to the government, have reportedly been visiting these places and persuading local landowners to sell their land," Najiar alleged. He said media reports quoting the Union Minister had reinforced the KSU's apprehension that the Central Government is once again pushing for uranium extraction in the state. Najiar asserted that the Meghalaya Government must go beyond verbal opposition and demonstrate its commitment through concrete action. He urged the State Legislative Assembly to adopt a resolution opposing uranium mining and forward it to the Central Government. "Words alone are not enough. Although such a resolution may not override Central laws, it will send a strong political and constitutional message that Meghalaya stands firmly against uranium mining," he said. The KSU also appealed to the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC), Jaiñtia Hills Autonomous District Council (JHADC), and Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC) to pass similar resolutions and exercise their powers under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution to enact laws prohibiting uranium mining within their respective jurisdictions. Najiar pointed out that uranium deposits are found not only in South West Khasi Hills but also in parts of Jaiñtia Hills and Garo Hills, making it imperative for all three Autonomous District Councils to take a united stand. Questioning the continued presence of the AMD office in Shillong, he asked, "If the State Government is genuinely opposed to uranium mining, what is the purpose of allowing the AMD office to continue functioning at Nongmensong? The government should ask them to leave. As long as the office remains, the uranium issue will never truly die." Reiterating the union's long-standing opposition, Najiar said previous exploratory drilling had already caused environmental and social concerns. "We have witnessed the impact that even exploratory activities have had on the environment, local communities, and agricultural land. One can only imagine the consequences if full-scale uranium mining is allowed. We will never permit it," he asserted. Referring to Meghalaya's historical and constitutional position, Najiar claimed that the Federation of Khasi States had not signed the Instrument of Merger but had acceded to India through the Instrument of Accession. He warned that any attempt by the Central Government to impose uranium mining against the wishes of the people would trigger a renewed public movement opposing the project.

SHILLONG, OCT 1: KSU general secretary Reuben Najiar on Thursday said police allowed the August 19 rally to continue for over two hours even after alleged incidents of violence, and the union came to know about it only through media reports.

Najiar made the statement after appearing before the court following expiry of his 14-day interim bail granted on humanitarian grounds.

“Today, after being on 14-day interim bail due to a sad incident at home, I have come here to the Court as per the court order,” he said, adding the trial will now proceed.

Reiterating that KSU leaders did not indulge in violence, he said, “We did not do anything wrong. As leaders who were in the front, we did not throw stones or assault anyone.”

He questioned SP East Khasi Hills Vivek Syiem’s statement that police were not deployed as permission was given on trust.

“Was it trust or a trap to implicate members and leaders of the union? We have not bowed down on the issues we are pursuing. When the government feels it cannot make us bow down, it sent mafias or negative elements to create ruckus on that day,” Najiar alleged.

He said unlike the VPP rally on August 6 where police guarded the entire Secretariat, there was not even a traffic policeman during the KSU rally.

“During the rally, we also did not imagine that it was a trap, because while the rally was on, there was no incident at all,” he said.

“The SP, the DC have our phone numbers. Why did they not call and tell us to stop? They allowed the rally to continue for more than 2 hours and only after it ended we came to know through the media,” Najiar said.

While condemning the violence, he said KSU members were not involved and alleged the rally may have been hijacked by negative elements, pointing to a press conference by Shree Cement representatives on the same day.

“We believe that a fair and just judgment will prevail,” he said on the court proceedings, adding, “They have set a precedent that from now on, when small people do something, they will arrest the big people.”

On police extortion exposed by KSU’s sting at Mawkhanu and Thangshalai, he asked, “You arrest us because we held a rally, okay. Now the police are extorting money, whom will you arrest?”

“All these incidents happened under his watch. On the 8th through the media we saw that there was extortion of money from trucks. Why is the Police Department silent, why is the district administration and the Government silent?” he asked, alleging a system of collective corruption.