NONGPOH: The obstinate attitude of the State Government has invited more trouble for themselves as the Joint Action Committee (JAC) and landowners on Saturday decided to oppose the proposed Railway line from Tetelia in Assam to Byrnihat in Meghalaya project and asserted that they would not bow down even if they are sent to jail, since the State Government had turned a deaf ear to their demand for changing the alignment of the project.
The decision was taken in a general public meeting held at Ronghona village on Saturday afternoon and was attended by JAC chairman Medhi Syiem, JAC secretary Albertos Lapang, Ronghona Rangbah Shnong Amol Ronghang, Lum Nongrim Rangbah Shnong Johnio Syiem, affected landowners and people numbering more than hundred.
All the speakers in the meeting flayed the State Government for turning deaf ears to their demand when they were welcoming the project and was even willing to part with their lands, “but the government took our willingness for a ride and this we cannot accept at any cost”.
The speakers also condemned the attempt of acquiring the land for the railway project by force by the district administration of Ri Bhoi. They also recalled that they had taken up their opposition to the original alignment with Chief Minister Dr. Mukul Sangma under the guidance of former Jirang legislator JD Rymbai two year back, however, there was no headway.
The matter was brought to the attention of sitting Jirang MLA Lamboklang Mylliem but there was no response.After a threadbare discussion, the meeting unanimously resolved to oppose the railway project even as they decided not to give their land for the proposed project.
However, following resignation of Medhi Syiem as chairman of the JAC, the meeting decided to elect Lapang as the new chairman and Jonhnio Syiem as the new secretary.
Till Friday last, the JAC which was set up jointly by the Dorbar Shnong of Lum Nongrim, Dorbar Shnong Ronghona and the Byrnihat Sport Association were all out for the railway project unlike the Khasi Students’ Union (KSU) which had opposed the railway project saying it would lead to influx.
Notably, the JAC initially urged upon the State Government to the alter the alignment of the railway project as it proposed to pass through Ronghona village, thereby causing complete displacement of the village as the railway station would be set up there, and also half of Lum Nongrim and a portion of BSA ground would be affected.
