By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: KSU president Daniel Khyriem on Thursday gave a diplomatic reply when asked to comment on the change of stance of former leader turned legislator Paul Lyngdoh to the proposed railway project in Meghalaya.
“This is his personal opinion,” Khyriem said while also maintaining that the KSU would continue to oppose the proposed railway project until a proper mechanism for combating the influx problem is in place.
Paul Lyngdoh had stressed on the need for rail connectivity in the State in view of the recent hike in petrol prices and the subsequent hike in prices of food items in the State.
He even justified his statement saying that the rise in prices of food commodities owing to the recent hike in petrol prices by Rs 7.50 has affected many people in the State as most of the commodities have to be brought to Meghalaya via roadways.
It may be recalled that during his days as president of the Khasi Students’ Union (KSU), Lyngdoh had vehemently opposed the idea of bringing in railways to the State.
According to Khyriem, until now the government has not been able to set up infrastructure like appointing more staff or alloting vehicles to the Labour department to carry out their tasks smoothly.
“So we (KSU) have decided to oppose railways until we are sure that foolproof mechanisms have been put in place to protect the indigenous people of the State,” Khyriem said.
Earlier, the KSU Mawlai Circle had come down heavily on Paul Lyngdoh for his statement in support of rail connectivity in Meghalaya.
Other political commentators have, however, commented that what Paul Lyngdoh said ten years ago cannot be held against him today. Things have changed and require to be seen from different perspectives.
They further stated that even the KSU should not be obstinate in its stance because they need to look at the over-all good of the people of Meghalaya and not make the issue of railways a non-negotiable one.
HNYF to oppose rail connectivity in State
The HNYF has voiced its protest against a section of political parties in the State who are in favour of rail connectivity in the State.
HNYF finance secretary BL Ryntathiang on Thursday said the recent statement made by UDP working president and former KSU president Paul Lyngdoh on the need to bring rail connectivity to the State has gathered many criticisms from various sections of the society.
“Rail connectivity will further accelerate the inflow of migrants into the State,” Ryntathiang added.
He further mentioned that the HNYF would continue to oppose the idea of rail connection in the State until and unless the government comes out with a policy to deal with influx.