SHILLONG:
On Sunday, members of the Khasi Students’ Union (KSU) led by its president Lambokstarwell Marngar and general secretary Donald V Thabah visited the VPP chief.
Speaking to reporters the KSU president said that the union had always been demanding that the government should review the reservation policy.
“Since 1972, the government has never reviewed the Reservation Policy and I feel that this is the right time to do so,” Marngar said.
He said that now, this demand to review the reservation policy is not that of any party or individual anymore but of the public.
“The hunger strike is on but we are seeing that the government is adamant (on not discussing the reservation policy). We want to send a message to the government, which includes the regional parties. If you have the responsibility for the future of the next generation invite this gentleman (Ardent) to the negotiating table,” he said.
KSU president Lambokstarwell Marngar said that the VPP consists of intellectuals and they should be invited to deliberate on how to shape the policy according to the demand of the public.
He said that as a union, it lends its support to the VPP and fully trusts them to take the issue forward.
Marngar said that the government should listen to the voices of the Khasis-Jaintias and not let the issue snowball into something major.
Meanwhile, the Hynniewtrep Integrated Territorial Organisation (HITO) has rejected the invitation of the state government to discuss the roster system.
HITO president Donbok Dkhar said that the government should invite the VPP to discuss the reservation policy and not pressure groups.
Dkhar said that the setting up of the committee on the roster reservation system is only a delay tactic by the government.
“Calling us to discuss on the issue is useless when in fact, the legislators elected by the people should be invited for talks since they are responsible for enacting laws,” the HITO president said.
Moreover, throughout the day on Sunday, hundreds of well wishers visited the protest site at the Additional Secretariat Parking lot to show their support for Basaiawmoit.