SHILLONG, June 21 - Three NGOs today held a sit-in demonstration near the Meghalaya Additional Secretariat here demanding immediate halt to the proposed railway project in the State.�
The demonstration was held by the Federation of Khasi Jaintia and Garo People (FKJGP), Hynniewtrep National Youth Front and Ri-Bhoi Youth Federation.
The NGOs later met State Home Minister HDR Lyngdoh and submitted a memorandum. It stated that during a meeting with 13 NGOs with the State Government an understanding was arrived at to have entry and exit points to check influx into the State. However, these entry and exit points are yet to be put in place.
They further pointed out that during the meeting it was informed by the Government that the Residents Safety and Security Act and the amended Benami Transition Prohibition Act were passed in 2016 to check influx.
However, the Government is yet to frame the rules and guidelines for the implementation of these Acts. In the absence of these legislations and the infrastructure to stop influx, having the railways is not advisable, the NGOs said. �
FKJGP president Wellbirth Rani earlier said members of the three organisations are protesting against construction of the railway line in the State fearing it would foment influx.
Apart from the Byrnihat railway project, the State Government is in favour of the railways in the State and said recently that it wants a railway line from Shillong to Sohra or Cherrapunjee.�
