TURA: The Tura-based Association for Democracy and Empowerment (ADE) has extended its support to the Khasi Students Union (KSU) and other anti-railway groups and criticised the Government’s high-handedness in dealing with protesters.
“We strongly support the movement and stand in unison with KSU and other NGOs. ADE strongly condemns the high-handed stance of the government towards the protesters and this arrogance of the administration can never achieve a fruitful outcome,” said Dalseng Bira Ch Momin, president of ADE.
While recognising the importance of railways in economic uplift of a region, the organisation cautioned that it could be a double-edged sword leading to ‘collateral’ damage to the ethnic population here. The state is now going through a critical phase of ethnicity crisis due to heavy influx, especially along border areas. The real question is not about the railway project but heavy influx,” said ADE that is “working with other organisations to demand for a comprehensive mechanism to check influx such as the Inner Line Permit”.
On the railways in Garo Hills, ADE alleged that the Mendipather Railway Station near the Assam border was providing service for just a single train between Mendipather town in North Garo Hills with Guwahati city.
“People of the entire Garo Hills reason, except the nearby areas, couldn’t avail its services due to the unreasonable timing of its operation but we’ve seen increase in crime like abduction, sexual harassment and theft,” claimed the ADE president.
Momin said several rounds of talks have taken place with the authorities in the past few years which had failed to take off.
“We were assured of an inclusive mechanism i.e. influx check gate, registration of tourists or skilled / unskilled labors etc, will be implemented along the border areas. But nothing has been done on the ground since then, so people have lost their faith on empty promises,” said Momin and urged the Government to abandon its ‘myopic’ vision on the issue.
