KSU reiterates opposition to railway project

SHILLONG: Sticking to its stand, the KSU has once again voiced opposition to the Tetelia-Byrnihat railway project stating that it will lead to large scale influx of illegal migrants into the state.
The KSU also ‘directed’ companies given the charge to carry out land survey for the project to stop the survey in areas falling under Ri Bhoi. The Union warned of drastic action if the companies failed to abide by its diktat.
Speaking to media persons on Thursday, president of KSU’s North Khasi Hills District Unit, Ferdynald Kharkamni said the protest against the introduction of railways in Ri Bhoi will continue as before.
“The introduction of railways will cause unchecked influx if the State Government fails to come up with a comprehensive mechanism to tackle the illegal immigration,” Kharkamni said adding that the Union is opposing the railway project since the government had failed to devise a proper mechanism to check influx.
Kharkamni claimed that the local people of Byrnihat are also opposing the railway project.
The opposition from the KSU comes on a day when Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu while presenting the Railway Budget 2016-17 announced that better connectivity to the northeastern states was of utmost priority to the Centre.