The railways should only come to Khasi-Jaintia Hills after the Inner Line Permit (ILP) is implemented in Meghalaya, the Khun Hynñiewtrep National Awakening Movement (KHNAM) said today.
Meghalaya has only one railhead, in Mendipathar, North Garo Hills. Its introduction to Khasi-Jaintia Hills, and the central government’s aim to connect every state capital to the rail network, continues to be delayed by opposition from pressure groups, Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) and political parties.
KHNAM, which is only a marginal figure in Meghalaya politics, has demanded that the KHADC not issue a no-objection certificate (NOC) for railways until ILP is implemented and after consultation with all stakeholders.
In a statement issued here today, KHNAM general secretary F Marpna said that the work on the railways project connecting Assam to Byrnihat in Ri-Bhoi is pending due the non-availability of an NOC from the KHADC.
The issue was recently raised again in the Assembly.
“It is obvious that the central government and the state government will make attempts to fulfil their desire to bring railways into the state,” Marpna said. “We make a very specific and clear demand to the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council not to issue any NOC for railways until ILP is implemented and after consultation with all the stakeholders.”
Those opposed to the railways fear that it will lead to a massive influx of outsiders, though there appears to be little or no proof in that claim. The suggestion to mitigate this is to allow goods trains and not those carrying passengers.
This, however, does not wash with KHNAM, which said that once the railway line is laid, the question over goods or passenger trains will “not be relevant anymore” and that the suggestion is merely a way to “fool the people”.
