Meghalaya Investment Act against "state's tribes": KSU leads protest march to Assembly

The air in Shillong turned chaotic on March 11 as the Khasi Students' Union (KSU) launched a march towards the Meghalaya Assembly, protesting against the state's proposal to clear the amendment of the Meghalaya State Investment Promotion and Facilitation Act, 2024.
 

Speaking to India Today NE, KSU General Secretary Donald V. Thabah stated that the protest is being held in response to the government's plan to pass the Meghalaya State Investment Promotion and Facilitation Act, calling it "against Meghalaya's tribes."
 

He further mentioned that the union also opposes the implementation of railway lines in the Khasi and Jaintia Hills region.
 

The environment in Shillong turned tensed as KSU activists led out the march holding banners and flags protesting the state government's plans to implement the said Act and railway project. 
 

Shouting slogans deterring the railway project and implementation of the MSIPF, the KSU members were not allowed to march towards the Assembly. 
 

For quite some time now, the students' union has reiterated its opposition to the introduction of railway services in the state, citing that the project would attract a massive influx of non tribals from outside Meghalaya. 
 

Moreover, the KSU also urged that the state must focus on implementing the long-pending Inner Line Permit.