By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, Oct 21: Former Deputy Speaker and incumbent Cabinet Minister Timothy D Shira has taken a sharp swipe at Congress MP from Tura, Saleng A Sangma, accusing him of merely echoing demands already raised by other legislators regarding the extension of railway lines to different parts of the Garo Hills.
Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, Shira dismissed Sangma’s recent statement on railway expansion as lacking originality. He remarked that while the MP is now calling for railway connectivity, he had remained silent on the issue during his tenure as an MLA. Shira argued that if Sangma had genuinely intended to work for the welfare of the people, he could have raised the matter earlier when he was in the Assembly.
Calling the move a duplication of existing efforts, the minister noted that several legislators, particularly those from the National People’s Party (NPP), have already urged the government to extend railway lines up to Baghmara in South Garo Hills.
Responding to a query on land and migration concerns, Shira spoke of his constituency’s vigilance in protecting tribal land. He said that residents in his area remain alert and ensure that no non-tribal individuals are allowed to settle or acquire property without proper permission. However, he acknowledged that there are non-tribals conducting business in the region, which he said is permitted under local regulations.
Shira’s remarks come amid renewed discussions on improving transport connectivity in Garo Hills — an issue that has drawn both political attention and public debate in recent weeks.
