By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, Dec 16: Close on the heels of the state government’s decision to discuss introduction of railways with the people of East Jaintia Hills, the Khasi Students Union (KSU) on Saturday said implementing Inner Line Permit in the state will clear the hurdle for introduction of railways in the state, in what may be perceived as a reiteration of their opposition to the proposal of introducing railways in Khasi-Jaintia Hills region.
“They say goods will become cheaper but we are yet to be sure whether coming of good trains will make things cheaper. We are of the opinion that after the implementation of ILP there will be no hurdle to railways in the Khasi-Jaintia regions,” said KSU general secretary Donald V Thabah.
The KSU has been maintaining that there will be no railways in the State until and unless the problem of influx is first addressed through the implementation of the ILP system.
Earlier, Cabinet minister and UDP legislator from Khliehriat, Kyrmen Shylla, had stated that a meeting would be held in January next year to seek the views and opinions of the people of East Jaintia Hills with regard to the government’s move to introduce railways in the district. According to Shylla, the decision was taken with NPP legislator from Sutnga-Saipung, Santa Mary Shylla after taking into consideration the division of opinion among the people of the district on the matter.
The KSU general secretary said, “Even public meetings are organised. The people know that there is a need to safeguard the community which is a microscopic community. They understand that if there is influx, then there would be no place for indigenous communities like what has happened in Tripura and Assam.”
“We feel that if they do organising public meetings we can also organise meetings and rallies in opposition to railways until and unless ILP is introduced,” he added.
Recently, senior Cabinet Minister Comingone Ymbon had also advocated introduction of railways in Jaintia Hills as a means to cut down the price rise in the state.