Last Updated: 18th August, 2023 14:54 IST
There are mechanisms to tackle influx: Meghalaya Dy CM on NGOs protesting against railway projects
First Published: 20th July, 2023 13:40 IST
Two organizations in Jaintia Hills district have objected to railway project stating the state lacks a mechanism to control immigration
By Purbasha Bhattacharjee
Amid the opposition to railway projects in Meghalaya, some people from Jaintia Hills have requested railway connectivity, Meghalaya Deputy Chief Minister and in-charge of Urban Affairs Sniawbhalang Dhar informed on Thursday.
Reacting to the NGOs opposing railway project in the state, citing that the railway is a medium to facilitate massive influx, the deputy chief minister, however, claimed that there are mechanisms to tackle influx in the state.
“If some new thing comes, it takes time for our people to understand. It does not mean that they oppose. The Government never went against the people of the state. There is mechanism to tackle influx,” Dhar added.
It may be mentioned here that two organizations in Jaintia Hills district have objected to railway project based on the fact that the state lacks a mechanism to control immigration and a framework to protect tribal trade.
Earlier, Chief Minister Conrad Sangma said that the Shillong to Byrnihat rail project may be cancelled and the money that has been outlaid for this project will be diverted and put up for projects in other zones or other areas of the state.
However, he said that the success of the project will largely depend on discussions with local leaders and different stakeholders.
It may be mentioned here that various pressure groups in Meghalaya have been opposing and protesting against railway projects in the state, fearing an illegal influx of immigrants posing a threat to the indigenous communities.
Apart from the Byrnihat-Shillong project, the Tetelia-Byrnihat railway line has also remained a non-starter in Meghalaya despite making considerable progress in Assam, with over 75 percent of the physical construction work completed.
Earlier, during the Budget Session of Parliament in February this year, Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said that the 108-km Byrnihat-Shillong railway project was facing a lot of law and order problems from the Khasi Student Union.
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