Shillong, Oct 6: The Khasi Students’ Union (KSU) has expressed strong opposition against any move by the state government to hold municipal elections in the state.

In a statement issued here on Friday, KSU chief Lambok Starwell Marngar said, “We would strongly oppose if the state government is contemplating to go ahead with holding of the municipal elections in the state.”

He alleged that holding of municipal elections will be an attempt to interfere and dilute the customary laws and practices of the indigenous community. “It is also seen as an attempt to do away with the powers of the traditional institutions,” he said.

Marngar said that the Union is also sending a clear message to the state government to refrain from meddling with the age-old traditional system but instead come up with measures to further empower the traditional institutions and their heads.

“If the state government is thinking of going ahead with such move, it should also be ready to take responsibility of the consequences that may arise,” he warned.

Meanwhile, the KSU demanded the state government to immediately do away with such move to hold the municipal elections in the state.

“We also appeal to all political parties and all the 60 legislators to say no to municipal elections,” Marngar added.