Shillong: Adviser of the Meghalaya Muster Roll Workers Union, Khroo L. Pariat, on Tuesday said muster roll workers are prepared to face arrest or even imprisonment as they continue their agitation against what they describe as the government’s silence on their long-pending demands.
Speaking to reporters after a peaceful march organised by the Joint Action Committee of the union in Shillong on Tuesday, Pariat said the workers have set April 9, 2026, as the deadline for the state government to initiate talks. He warned that if Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma fails to invite the union for discussions by then, the workers will launch a hunger strike.
The peace march, which began from the premises of U Soso Tham Auditorium, passed through Barik and Malki before concluding at the same venue.
Pariat said the workers would soon decide whether the proposed hunger strike will be held at Malki ground or near the statue of Woh Kiang Nangbah, located close to Civil Hospital Shillong.
He alleged that despite earlier assurances, the Chief Minister has not called the union for talks, forcing muster roll workers to intensify their protest.
The workers are demanding a revision of daily wages for unskilled, semi-skilled, skilled and highly skilled workers, implementation of the RCW system to ensure timely payment of wages, regularisation of workers who have served for more than 10 years, and enforcement of labour welfare provisions including the Labour Code and Employees’ Provident Fund (EPF).
