Meghalaya students’ body backs people-centric governance, warns against erosion of public rights

Shillong: The Khasi Students’ Union (KSU) in Meghalaya said on Tuesday that it will not oppose any government initiative aimed at benefiting people through cooperation with local communities, but warned that it would intervene if government actions undermine the rights and interests of the people.

KSU Central Executive Committee (CEC) Environment Secretary Shiningstar Kharbihkhiew said the organisation’s opposition was not directed at governments as such, but at actions that allegedly disregard the rights of local communities.

“We will not oppose any government which brings benefits through cooperation with the locality. What we have opposed is when the government tramples and forcibly snatches away the rights of the people,” Kharbihkhiew said.

He was speaking after administering the oath to newly appointed office-bearers of the KSU Mynkrem Unit at Mynkrem village in West Jaintia Hills district on September 7.

Kharbihkhiew said the KSU steps in only when public interest and peace are affected by government actions. He urged the new unit to remain vigilant on issues concerning the local community and work in the larger public interest.

The KSU leader also called upon young people to avoid early marriage and urged them to consider starting families only after establishing a stable livelihood.

He said early marriage without adequate financial and social stability could adversely affect the community and contribute to its decline. KSU CEC Information and Publicity Secretary Pynshai Kupar Dkhar, meanwhile, urged the newly formed unit to play an active role in addressing social issues.

He asked the youth to move beyond merely observing developments in society and instead take constructive action to improve their communities.

“There are three groups – those who only watch what happens in society, those who make things happen, and the majority who don’t know what happens. You should be among those who see and also act to improve society,” Dkhar said.

The meeting was chaired by KSU West Jaintia Hills District General Secretary Leningrad Tariang. District President Laitphar Syngkrem, KSU East Jaintia Hills Finance Secretary Shaniahskhem Dkhar, KSU Jowai Circle General Secretary Nipoi Shadap and Mynkrem village headman also attended the programme.

The newly constituted Mynkrem Unit comes under the KSU Laskein Circle. The event witnessed participation from villagers and featured cultural performances by women and youth from the village.

IANS