KJNU demands separate state

OUR CORRESPONDENT

SHILLONG, May 6: An organisation which calls itself apolitical on Friday said that it will fight for a separate Khasi-Jaiñtia state. “We have galand for the gas, Mizoram for the Mizos, Assam for Assamese and Bihar for the Biharis. Therefore on that basis we want our own state for the Khasi-Jaiñtia people,” Khasi-Jaiñtia tiol Union (KJNU) president Niman N Shadap told reporters.

Shadap said that it will not be difficult to achieve the objective since the Garos too are demanding a greater Garoland. According to the KJNU president, in the present set up the Khasis-Jaiñtias are losing out on job opportunities due to the existing state reservation policy.

“In the present set up opportunities for our future generation seems bleak,” Shadap said. According to him they want an amicable bifurcation of Meghalaya without any bloodshed like the hill state movement for a separate state of Meghalaya was achieved.

Meanwhile, on being asked whether the KJNU will support political parties like the HSPDP who are also for a separate Khasi-Jaiñtia state, Shadap said that they are not affiliated to any political party.

“They are demanding through different means and we are charting our own path,” Shadap said.

The KJNU president said that having a separate Khasi-Jaiñtia state will strengthen and promote the rich cultural heritage of the hynniewtrep people.

Shadap also said that the union will soon submit a representation to New Delhi on the issue.