Shillong, July 6: Hours after Chief Minister Conrad Sangma mentioned about a railway project in East Jaintia Hills connecting Khliehriat, the Jaintia Students’ Union (JSU) opposed the move.
Chief minister on Thursday said a study is being conducted on the feasibility to introduce railway connectivity to Khliehriat.
Recently, the Sonapur tunnel connecting Assam and East Jaintia Hills was cut off due to incessant rain (in picture).
In response, in a statement, the JSU wanted the chief minister to concentrate on education, hospitals and good roads in Jaintia Hills besides implementing the inner line permit (ILP).
“Implement ILP, set up good roads, good educational institutions and better health care, subsequently we would accept railways in Jaintia Hills,” the JSU said.
“We understand that railway connectivity can have numerous benefits including improved transportation, economic growth and enhanced connectivity with other regions but for small state like Meghalaya which is being occupied by mostly tribals, it is necessary for the government to first bring up ILP system in the state as its purpose is to regulate the entry of outsiders to protect the local culture, resources and population of the region,” the JSU said.
According to the JSU, the organisation does not negate the need for railways in Jaintia Hills. “We are advocating for implementation of a mechanism like the ILP to restrain illegal immigrants and focus on educational institutions, proper public hospitals, and road infrastructure, which we believe are the immediate priorities for the region’s development,” the JSU said.
