KSU reiterates opposition to railway

SHILLONG: As the survey work for laying railway lines between Byrnihat and Shillong nears completion, the Khasi Students’ Union has reiterated its opposition to the introduction of railways in Meghalaya while arguing that the State Government was yet to come up with an effective mechanism to tackle influx.   “We need railways but we have been asking for a comprehensive mechanism to check influx in the state,” KSU president Daniel Khyriem said while speaking to The Shillong Times on Thursday.
Khyriem pointed out that case of Bangladeshi Minister Salahuddin Ahmed being caught in Shillong without documents substantiates their claims that infiltration was rampant in Meghalaya.
Asked if the KSU will allow railways in the State if the mechanism of scanning visitors at the proposed entry and exit points is successfully implemented, Khyriem said it was too early to comment on the issue.
He however stated that the KSU would review the functioning of the proposed entry and exit points to be set up in different parts of the State.
It may be mentioned that the survey for laying railway lines between Byrnihat and Shillong is nearing completion with the exception of a five-km patch following opposition from some local groups.
While the pressure groups in Meghalaya have been opposing introduction of railways, the Union Government is desirous of putting Shillong on the railway map by March 31, 2020.