TURA: Another Garo Hills organisation has extended its support to the stand taken by the Khasi Students’ Union (KSU) against the railway project in Ri Bhoi fearing entry of illegal migrants.
The A’chik Youth Welfare Organisation (AYWO) in a statement issued here on Tuesday warned that the Government’s high-handedness in this case will stoke “serious law and order problem in the State”.
“The current confrontation between KSU and Government could have been averted if its earlier promise to speed up formulation of a strong mechanism had been kept. KSU is fighting for the cause and their area of concern needs to be addressed through consultations and dialogue. AYWO as a member organisation of the 13 pressure groups fighting for ILP and comprehensive mechanism since 2011 stands by KSU,” it said. Earlier this month, the Association for Democracy and Empowerment said it supports KSU’s cause.
The organisation also said that it was sincerely looking forward to the assurance given to the 13 organisations by Chief Minister Mukul Sangma during a meeting held at the Secretariat on July 19. Sangma had said the Government would set up a facilitation centre at Mendipather railway station to check inflow of outsiders to Garo Hills.
On the assurance for implementation of the Meghalaya (Benami Transaction Prohibition) Act 2016 and the Meghalaya Residents’ Safety and Security Act, AYWO said it would wait and watch whether the promises are fulfilled before August 15.
The Government has promised to lay down rules for the Acts before Independence Day.
It urged the Government to make strict rules for all deputy commissioners’ offices and departments concerned to constitute the District Task Force as mandated under Section 5 (1) of the Meghalaya Residents’ Safety and Security Act and Section 4(1) of the Meghalaya (Benami Transaction Prohibition) Act 2016. The association also sought initiation of sensitisation programmes for all the stakeholders and local authorities so as to equip them with better understanding of the whole exercise.
