Shillong: The Khasi people on Sunday paid rich tributes to the legendary freedom fighter – U Tirot Sing Syiem, who rebelled against the British Empire – on his 187th death anniversary.
In Shillong, leaders of the anti-influx groups including the Khasi Students’ Union (KSU), Federation of Khasi Jaintia and Garo People (FKJGP), Hynniewtrep Integrated Territorial Organization (HITO) and others lay floral wreaths and observed minute of silence in front of the statue of the freedom fighter at Madan Iewrynghep (Firebrigade) here.
The plague stone on the foot of the statue constructed by the KSU had on it writings about U Tirot Sing Syiem which described him as – “The bravest of the Khasis who loved his land the most, who served the best; sacred in our hearts.”
Addressing the occasion, KSU chief Lambokstarwell Marngar slammed the state government for its failure to push for immediate implementation of the Inner Line Permit (ILP) in Meghalaya.
“The state government seems to be contended just because it has passed an official resolution for implementation of the ILP. Therefore, we want to tell all the elected representatives not to play with the issue as it is their duty to fulfil this long pending aspiration of the people of the state,” he said.
Stating that there are other several issues which were taken up with the government since 2018, the KSU chief however said that it is very unfortunate that most of the demands end only in the four walls of the secretariat.
Must read | Solimla Jajo bags Silver medal in Miss Asia Women Model Physique; Solan Jajo placed 4th
“We have asked the government to come up with a law that will ensure transparency in the job recruitment process but till date nothing has been done in this regard despite (allegations) that corruption is rampant in the job recruitment in the various departments of the government,” he stated.
In his speech, FKJGP president Dundee C Khongsit said the NGOs in the state will never allow the government to implement the Citizenship Amendment Act in the state of Meghalaya.
“We cannot allow illegal immigrants and influx to outnumber our microscopic population,” he said.
Meanwhile, leaders of the United Democratic Party (UDP), members of the Syiemlieh Clan and other NGOs and political parties also paid rich tributes to the legendary freedom fighter.
U Tirot Sing, a tribal Khasi chief of the Nongkhlaw Kingdom, was the first tribal Khasi ruler to rebel against the British Empire in 1829.
On January 13, 1833, the British forces treacherously captured him and kept him in captivity at Dhaka where he died on July 17, 1835.
NNN
Also read | Manipur lad to compete at India’s prestigious men’s pageant championship – Rubaru Mr. India