Traditional heads refuse to budge on railway project

NONGPOH: Traditional heads in Ri Bhoi under the banner Dorbar ki Rangbah Shnong Ri Bhoi District (DRSRBD) refused to budge even after talks with the district administration and police and said they would continue opposing the railway project in Meghalaya.
The traditional heads are demanding implementation of the Village Administration Bill.
After the meeting on Wednesday, DRSRBD chairman Rocky Kylla said the members have sought the Deputy Commissioner’s co-operation in stalling the railway project in Byrnihat.
“However, the Deputy Commissioner (CP Gotmare) said he cannot do anything as the land has been handed over to the railway authority but he will communicate the same to his higher-ups in the State Government,” Kylla said.
DRSRBD members also met district Superintendent of Police Ramesh Singh and criticised the way police in the State are handling the situation.
The traditional heads had earlier complained that houses are being raided in search of Khasi Students’ Union members without consulting the Dorbar Shnong.
The members asked Singh to stop the alleged high-handedness in the district which had seen a sudden deterioration in the law and order situation following the railway agitation.