The Jaintia Students’ Union (JSU) has reiterated its opposition against move of government to introduce railway project in the Khasi-Jaintia Hills region in absence of the inner line permit (ILP).
The JSU in a statement said, “There is no point in establishing a railway connection as long as the ILP is not granted to our State.”
Recently, the deputy chief minister Sniawbhalang Dhar had stated that the government has no intention to drop the idea of railway line in Khasi and Jaintia Hills region.
The Union said that only a small section of people mainly businessmen of Jaintia Hills wanted railways in the region.
The JSU said that ILP is a special permit that restricts the entry of outsiders into Meghalaya, to protect the rights and culture of our indigenous community. The JSU said, “…without proper safeguards through ILP, an influx of people due to railway connectivity might have negative social and economic impacts on the indigenous population in the Jaintia Hills.”
On the difference in the cost of goods between Assam (which is already connected by rail) and Meghalaya, the Union argued that the cost of goods in Assam, where railways play a role in transportation, is more expensive compared to the price of goods in Meghalaya and one must know that even the cost of cement is higher in the production state of Meghalya than in Assam so the point to bring railway to ease transportation of cement to other state will only benefits bussiness men not to the people of Meghalaya .
“This suggests that the introduction of railways might not necessarily lead to more affordable goods in our region and introduction of railway infrastructure might improve accessibility but it will only increased migration or movement of people from other areas. Such influx can have social, economic, and environmental impacts on the state,” it said.
“It’s important to consider the perspectives of different stakeholders and engage in open dialogue to find a balanced solution that addresses the concerns of the local communities and ensures sustainable development in the region,” the JSU added.