SHILLONG: The State Government finally bowed to the anti-railway groups’ demands and decided to shelve the railway project till a comprehensive mechanism to check influx is put in place.
Speaking to reporters after a meeting with 13 pressure groups on Wednesday, Chief Minister Mukul Sangma said, “We will ask the railways to put the work on hold and resume as soon as comprehensive measures are put in place, which will be done soon.”
Members of the pressure groups later told media persons at Shillong Club that they would monitor the effectiveness of the government’s measures.
To a question, KSU president Lambokstarwell Marngar, however, said the organisation would not budge from its earlier demand for Inner Line Permit.
The chief minister assured that the government is addressing the issue of influx and illegal immigration, as there cannot be a single measure but it must be multi-pronged and comprehensive.
On the Meghalaya Residents’ Safety and Security Act and the Prohibition of Benami Transaction Act, Sangma pointed out that the former “can deal with a number of concerns”.
“Another supplementary act which needs to be effectively enforced is the Prohibition of Benami Transaction Act, which has been amended effectively,” the chief minister said.
Rules before I-Day
While the Prohibition of Benami Transaction Act will require more exercise with the enforcing agency, rules for the Meghalaya Residents’ Safety and Security Act will be laid down before Independence Day and will be announced on the day, he added.
However, another round of discussion with the NGOs will take place before the rules are notified. “When it is notified and enforced it will require huge mobilisation of stakeholders and local authorities. It is a gigantic task,” Sangma said.
Entry/exit points
Speaking of entry/exit points, Sangma said, “Every entry/exit point will be set up after completing the land acquisition process.”
“Some of the identified entry/exit points require longer time in terms of land acquisition but some points that we have identified — two in East Jaintia Hills (Malidor and Ratacherra), one in West Khasi Hills (Athiabari) and another in West Garo Hills — are in progress,” he said and added that it is a continuous process as only Phase I has started.
The state government has also requested for land inside Mendipathar railway station for setting up a facilitation centre.
“Wherever there are railway stations, the space and land for construction of facilitation centres will be provided,” he added.
Sangma said complexity will arise in dealing with illegal immigration because of the 443-km Meghalaya-Bangladesh border and the long interstate border with Assam.
When asked on the sudden flare-up over railways, he said, “I don’t want to attribute it to anything.”
The pressure group members said the chief minister will meet them again for discussion.
Daniel Khyriem, former KSU president, urged the government to expedite the implementation of phase I of the entry/exit points.
