SHILLONG: The Federation of Khasi Jaintia and Garo People (FKJGP), the Hynniewtrep National Youth Fronth (HNYF) and the Ri Bhoi Youth Federation (RBYF) will stage a sit-in demonstration against Tetelia-Byrnihat railway project on June 21 at the Additional Secretariat parking lot.
Speaking to media persons on Friday, Wellbirth Rani, president of FKJGP, said, “A written petition has been sent to the State Government to halt the proposed railway line till it does not come up with comprehensive mechanisms to tackle influx.”
Rani stated that the State Government was silent in this matter.
The three organisations extended their support to KSU that is voicing its opposition to the project.
Criticising Chief Minister Mukul Sangma for speaking irresponsibly on the matter, Rani said, “It is not a proper time for the chief minister to speak about railway projects in view of the prevailing law and order situation as it will directly provoke NGOs since the issue on railways is presently a contentious one.”
Amidst the disturbances prevailing in the State, the Chief Minister should not discuss about the proposal to extend the railway line from Shillong to Sohra, he added.
The pressure groups will meet representatives of the State Government on railways, besides the Tenancy bill and the District task force. Stating that they have met the deputy commissioners of all districts seeking implementation of the District Task Force (DTF), Rani said they expressed their inability to do so as no rules were framed by the government with regard to the DTF.
Rani asserted that the sit-in demonstration is only the beginning of the agitation and if the State Government maintains its silence, the organisations will meet again and chalk out their future course of action.
Call for talks
When asked on the cases of arson and other anti-social elements, Rani said, “We don’t know who were the perpetrators of the crime but we have experienced that it is usually the NGO leaders who get arrested.”
However, he added that the organisations will speak only on the issue of railways and will not divert on the issue of the arrests of members in their upcoming meeting with the officials and representatives of the government.
Commenting on the need to call for talks by the State Government with NGOs, who are against railways to quell the ongoing tension in the state, Rani criticised the MUA-II government for being slow in its implementation of mechanisms to check influx.
“Since the year 2013, there were talks that the State Government should initiate to frame laws before arriving at a railway project. We will not accept the coming of railways in the State without proper mechanisms in place,” he said.
Rani criticised the Chief Minister for not responding to the appointment made by 13 organisations to meet him since April. “He does not have the courtesy to reply,” he added.