NONGPOH: Members of the Khasi Students’ Union, North Khasi Hills district unit have refused to budge from their stance against the railway project at Byrnihat, saying they were ready to go to jail if the government gave the green signal to the NF Railway authorities for resumption of work.
The student’s union position came to the fore after its members under the leadership of the union’s district unit president, Ferdynald K Kharkamni met the Ri Bhoi deputy commissioner, R.M Kurbah on Thursday afternoon.
During the meeting, the KSU leaders expressed strong opposition to resumption of construction work on the railway project at Byrnihat.
Work on the project was halted for a year after the KSU led an agitation at the construction site. Subsequently, police arrested some activists of the union.
Speaking to the mediapersons, Kharkamni said the union had received information that the NF Railway authorities would resume work on the railway project in Byrnihat which had been halted.
“So we expressed our concern and once again reiterate our opposition to resumption of work on the railway project at Byrnihat,” he said.
He made it clear that the union would continue to oppose the project till the state government put in place a strong mechanism to curb illegal encroachment and influx of migrants to the state.
“Last year, many of our leaders and activists were jailed and this time also we are ready to face the same consequence if the government does not meet the demands before resumption of construction work,” Kharkamni said.
The union also urged the deputy commissioner to remove the police personnel stationed at Ronghona in Byrnihat and instead shift them to the border areas of Ri Bhoi to ensure safety to the residents.
