Union refutes MoS claim on survey
SHILLONG/NONGPOH: The Khasi Students’ Union (KSU) has reiterated their opposition to railway projects in the State asserting that it would to threats of influx.
KSU president Daniel Khyriem, who was speaking at a function to observe the 22nd death anniversary of Bull Lyngdoh at Shillong Law College in Malki on Wednesday, vowed to uphold the ideology of the union’s late president.
The strong-worded remark came two days after Minister of State for Railways Rajen Gohain said survey for the final location for a part of the two railway projects – the 22-km Tetelia-Byrnihat tracks and the 108-km Byrnihat-Shillong line – was completed.
Khyriem said, “We will uphold the ideology of our late leader in his opposition to the railways in the State as the presence of immigrants will be a threat to the minority indigenous communities here. If there is no proper mechanism to check influx, we will continue our opposition to the projects.”
Meanwhile, the North Khasi Hills unit of the Union refuted Gohain’s claim that the survey was over.
KSU’s district president Ferdynald Kharkamni told media persons in Nongpoh on Wednesday that the Union minister’s statement in the Lok Sabha session is false as “the survey is still kept in abeyance” following the union’s opposition. Also, the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council is yet to issue a no-objection certificate for the survey.
“The State government’s failure to tackle unabated influx is a matter of great concern,” he said.
Gohain had said the issues hindering the survey were ironed out through regular meetings with the State government and KSU.
In Shillong, Khyriem too expressed concern that the demands to implement laws to safeguard the indigenous community of the State from immigration has not yet picked up pace.
Expressing surprise over the Union minister’s comment, Kharkamni said KSU members took this issue up with Chief Minister Mukul Sangma who had assured that the survey would be put on hold.
He warned any entity against taking up the survey work and said KSU would not take any responsibility for untoward incidents.