SHILLONG, April 4: The Khasi Students’ Union (KSU) on Tuesday asked the Centre to close the chapter on the introduction of railways in Khasi-Jaintia Hills region and let the union first discuss the Inner Line Permit (ILP).
“How will we discuss the proposed railway project when the Centre is yet to decide on the resolution adopted by the Assembly in 2019 to implement ILP in the state?” asked KSU president Lambokstarwell Marngar.
He said the union has been demanding ILP since 1987 and will continue to pursue it.
“It is no longer a new issue and it is not proper to mix ILP with the introduction of the railway. Give us ILP, we will then think whether to accept or oppose railway projects,” Marngar said.
Earlier, the KSU had said it will discuss the issue if the Centre agrees to give special protection to the indigenous Khasi population by implementing ILP or provisions like Article 371 (A) (special provision with respect to the State of Nagaland) or 371 (G) (special provision with respect to the State of Mizoram).
KSU general secretary Donald V Thabah had said the Union fears the indigenous people will be outnumbered by outsiders in the absence of a mechanism and legislation to deal with influx.
Citing an example, he said the Khasi population has been outnumbered by the non-indigenous population in areas falling within the Shillong Municipality even without railways.
Thabah said there will be a serious threat to the very existence of the microscopic indigenous population if railways come to this part of the state without any strong legislation to thwart the unregulated entry of outsiders.
He criticised the state government for shying away from its responsibility by stating that the decision to implement ILP lies with the Centre.
“We understand that it is the Centre which will give the nod for the implementation of ILP but the state government should also show its seriousness in pursuing this issue with the Centre,” he said.
