Voice of opposition to introduction of railway line in Jaintia Hills continues to pour in from pressure groups who reiterated that the project will not be allowed without a mechanism to prevent influx.
“Our position has been clear since the inception of the HYC in 2014: there should be no railway in the Khasi-Jaintia region without the implementation of the Inner Line Permit or other regulations to control the movement of people from outside the region,” Hynñiewtrep Youth Council (HYC) president Roy Kupar Synrem said at a press conference.
He condemned the statement made by cabinet minister Kyrmen Shylla that the decision to bring railways should be discussed only by the locals in Jaintia Hills.
Syrem said railway would lead to significant influx of people into Meghalaya, which would affect the socio-economic and political rights of the local population, particularly the Hynniewtrep people living in the Khasi and Jaintia Hills.
“HYC is an integral part of the Hynniewtrep community and should not be viewed as an outsider in Jaintia Hills,” he said, adding, “The issue of influx should be decided solely by the Hynniewtrep community.”
The Hynñiewtrep Integrated Territorial Organization (HITO) said it is committed to unite the resilient voices of the Jaiñtia Hills to firmly oppose the railway project.
HITO argues that this project would cause more harm than good to the communities and the environment.
Reportedly the Northeast Frontier Railway (NFT) had proposed a 180-kilometre broad gauge railway line extending from Chaparmukh Junction in Assam to Jowai in Meghalaya. The route is set to traverse several key locations such as Bhoksong, Rajagaon, Baithalangso, Jengkha, Kherani, and Umrangso.
