SHILLONG: Pressure groups in the state have said introduction of railway in the state can wait till a comprehensive mechanism to check influx is put in place.
Speaking to The Shillong Times, president of Khasi Students’ Union (KSU), Lambokstarwell Marngar said, “We oppose any move to introduce railway in the state. We have to be cautious and first check whether the entry and exit points are adequate enough to deal with influx.”
He said the railway chapter will be opened only after the comprehensive mechanism is in place.
“We will wait till the time we check the effectiveness of the mechanism. Then we will discuss whether or not to accept the introduction of railway in the state,” he said.
The state government has zeroed in on Umling in Ri-Bhoi district to set up the entry and exit point and has said work on it would begin in May,
Marngar said the entry and exit point would have been more effective near the Byrnihat Bridge, but land posed to be a major problem.
“We suggested to the government to search for land in Byrnihat, but since the entry and exit point will be set up in Umling, we will check whether it is effective,” he said.
Echoing similar views, Hynniewtrep Youth Council (HYC) leader Robert Kharjahrin asserted that the issue of railway will arise only after ILP is implemented in the state.
He said, “We will oppose the railway. No railway without ILP. Implement ILP first and then we will decide whether we will allow railway. Without ILP we will oppose railway,” he said.
According to him, he said setting up of entry and exit point is merely an infrastructure, but not an influx regulation system in itself.
“Entry and exit point is meaningless without ILP as it cannot prevent and regulate influx of immigrants into the state. After ILP is implemented we have to see how it is functioning. Only then we will decide whether to still oppose or allow railway in the state. As of now we oppose it,” Kharjahrin said.
Commenting on the revived demand for ILP, Marngar asserted that the union does not want a “modified or duplicate ILP.”
“We will check the provisions in the amended act (Meghalaya Residents Safety and Security Act) and only after that we will be able to comment. But the implementation of ILP is separate as we will continue to demand it,” he said.
He said the demand for ILP by the KSU is nothing new as its leaders and members were arrested over it in the past.
He reiterated that the union will continue to demand ILP besides the comprehensive mechanism.
