‘Jail is a school, vow to continue fight; taken in procession from jail to Jaiaw office’
Shillong, Oct 23: Just after walking out of Shillong District Jail on bail, Khasi Students Union president Raymond Kharjana said jail is a “big school” for the union and vowed to intensify the fight for its five demands.
Kharjana and general secretary Reuben Najiar were arrested in connection with the violence on August 19 during the KSU’s black flag bike rally. They were released on Friday and were received and felicitated by former president Lambokstarwell Marngar and former vice president in presence of leaders and members before taking out a procession from the jail to the union office at Jaiaw.
Addressing media persons, Kharjana said time in jail gave them space to reflect.
“When we are in jail, it is like a school that sharpens the mature thinking of every member. Inside we get time to ponder over issues that affect our jaidbynriew, which we sometimes miss outside due to our busy schedule,” he said.
“We see some of our five demands have started to take shape. There are others we will have to follow up and push from time to time. For now we will pursue these five demands,” he said.
The KSU chief thanked the CEC and former leaders for running the union while its top leaders were behind bars.
“I appreciate the CEC leaders outside who followed up and continued the work. I also thank our former leaders who as brothers and advisers did not leave the union in this difficult time,” he said.
Reiterating the union’s stand, Kharjana said, “We have always said that when we join the union, one leg is in jail and one leg is outside. This jail term cannot kill the fighting spirit.”
He alleged attempts were made to break the union’s morale. “The public witnessed how our office was raided and attacked, and how leaders were defamed on social media to demoralize us. But they cannot destroy our spirit of struggle,” he said.
“All members must always be ready. Some demands may have taken shape, but the struggle to make the voice of our land and people heard and to highlight the dangers awaiting us will continue,” Kharjana added.
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