Shillong, July 19: Chief Minister, Mukul Sangma on Wednesday announced that his government would ask the railways authority to put on old works related to construction of the Tetelia-Byrnihat railway line till a comprehensive mechanism to check influx is put place, even as the Khasi Students’ Union (KSU) said that no decision has been taken with regards to railway issue.
Speaking to reporters after discussing with representatives of 13 groups including the KSU on issues related to implementation of comprehensive mechanism to check influx, the Chief Minister said that the state government would write to the railways authority that works related to Tetetlia-Byrnihat line would be put hold on till an operative part of the comprehensive mechanism is put in place.
“We will indicate that works should resume as soon as the comprehensive mechanism is put in place,” he said.
Sangma also announced that some of the comprehensive mechanism such rules for implementing the Meghalaya Residents Safety and Security Act, 2016 would be notified and announced on Independence Day.
However KSU president, Lambokstarwell Marngar said that the government has not taken any decision on the stand of the KSU against railway project.
“The discussion with the government on railway issue did not have any outcome. The chief minister tried to convince the need to connect Khasi and Jaiñtia hills with railway line. We cannot accept railway line without strong mechanism that can curb influx. We will continue our protest against railway project and the KSU will discuss this issue in the next Central Executive Committee and decide our future course of action.”
