By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: The plan of Northeast Frontier Railway to have rail connectivity in Jaintia Hills has hit hurdles with several NGOs protesting the move.
In a letter addressed to the Deputy Commissioner, East Jaintia Hills, the KSU, FKJGP and HNYF of Khliehriat circle said the NF Railway recently erected pillars with the purpose of extending the railway tract to Meghalaya.
“The pillars were erected along the PWD road of Narwan village East Jaintia Hills District. This was done without the knowledge of the PWD authorities, the local Durbar and may be your office also has no knowledge about this matter”, the NGOs said in the letter to the Deputy Commissioner.
Opposing the move, the NGOs said, “There is a surreptitious design of the NFR to extend railway tracks to the State through Jaintia Hills district, which is prone to migration and influx”.
According to the NGOs, while the state government is contemplating to introduce Inner Line Permit in the State, the intention to introducing railway track in the State by any agency or authorities at this juncture might defeat the very purpose of the move.
“All the NGOs of Meghalaya are opposed to the idea of extending the railway track to the state due to the possibility of a large scale influx and migration. So, we the NGOs in Jaintia Hills district also will not tolerate the surreptitious design of any authority to extend the railway tracks into the districts, the NGOs said.
They also urged the Deputy Commissioner to make proper inquiry into the matter.
“If it was done without the knowledge of concerned authorities, the act of erecting pillars must be declared illegal and such pillars should be demolished”, the NGOs added.