SHILLONG, July 10: The KSU on Monday said it is ready to initiate discussions on introduction of railways in the Khasi-Jaintia Hills region provided the Centre agrees to give special protection to the indigenous population of Meghalaya by granting inner line permit (ILP) and Article 371.
“Give us these two laws then and we will agree to discuss the railway projects. We are not against bringing railways to Khasi land,” KSU general secretary, Donald V. Thabah told The Shillong Times.
He recalled that the KSU had first raised its voice against the railway project in 1985, followed it up in 1989 and again in 2017.
Thabah said around 30 KSU members were arrested in 2017 when NFR had moved to implement the Tetelia-Byrnihat railway project.
According to him, the KSU also managed to convince the KHADC not to give NOC to any proposal for railways in this region.
He said only reason behind their opposition to the rail project is that Meghalaya does not have any strong legislation like ILP or Article 317 to deal with the problem of influx.
He said the KSU is on the job to detect and deport people from outside attempting to illegally enter the state by roads and other means.
“But it will be impossible to keep a check if thousands of people from outside enter the state once railway is introduced. We will become minorities in our own state if we do not have ILP,” Thabah said, adding that the government and elected representatives also have a responsibility of protecting its own people.
While reacting to a statement of Shillong MP, Vincent H. Pala that he is not opposed to the move of bringing railways to Khliehriat, he said the union is firm on its stand even if the MP supports it.
Thabah said Pala’s argument that Meghalaya was given a choice to select ILP or Sixth Schedule does not hold any merit since Mizoram is protected by the legislations including ILP, Sixth Schedule and Article 371G.
“The indigenous people of Meghalaya also need insulation through various laws,” he added.