‘Goods train issue needs more debate’

HSPDP legislator Renikton Tongkhar while maintaining that even though the discussion on the issue of goods trains for Meghalaya is a collective discussion discussed within the Regional Democratic Alliance (RDA) comprising of both the UDP and HSPDP said that this matter still needs to be discussed again in depth.
“In a democracy, we have to consider all the pros and cons and I think we still need to discuss this issue in depth under the RDA and to listen to the views and suggestions of all the stakeholders,” Tongkhar told Highland Post.
Stating that the indigenous people should not always live in fear, he said, “We already have laws like the Land Transfer Act that protects the land of the indigenous people and if a person cannot procure our lands then on what grounds will he settle here and set up his businesses.”
Tongkhar however said that development will not come if the people of the State feel that they are still not safe from influx. He also said that the government needs to bring more laws to protect them.
Recently UDP leader Jemino Mawthoh said that the RDA had just discussed having the goods trains strictly up to Khanapara in Ri-Bhoi district. He also maintained that both allies of RDA have never agreed for having goods train link for Shillong.