The youth wing of the Khun Hynniewtrep National Awakening Movement (KHNAM) has taken the side of pressure groups against the Chief Minister when it comes to the railways, saying that it will oppose any such project unless the Inner Line Permit (ILP) is introduced in Meghalaya.
Speaking to Highland Post, KHNAM youth wing president Thomas Passah said that this is the opinion of the people of Meghalaya and Chief Minister Conrad Sangma should convey this message to New Delhi.
“We would like to reiterate that Inner Line Permit is not to stop anyone from entering, staying, working, transiting through the state of Meghalaya but it is merely to track entry and exit of individuals, which can be termed as a ‘reasonable restriction’ as permitted under Clause 5 of Article 19 of the Constitution of India,” he said.
Recently, the CM expressed a hope that pressure groups opposed to railways because they fear it may enable outsiders to swamp Meghalaya might see a way to support the introduction of railways into Ri-Bhoi for the creation of a goods service, which, Sangma said, would boost the local economy.
Stating that KHNAM disagrees with the statement, Passah said, “In contrast, the implementation of ILP will enhance peace and prosperity between various sections of communities in the state vis a vis creating opportunities for economic growth of the citizens of the state at large. We want to make it very clear that we oppose the railway lines irrespective whether it is meant for goods or passenger trains till ILP is put in place following the unanimous resolution of the Legislative Assembly.”
