Fiery Opposition: Khasi Students’ Union Defends Heritage Against High-Speed Luxury Rail Network in Shillong – Northeast News
Shillong: The Khasi Students’ Union (KSU), a prominent student organization in Meghalaya, is strongly opposing plans to introduce a High-Speed Luxury Rail Network (HSLRN) in Shillong. Citing concerns over potential illegal immigration, the KSU has urged the Meghalaya government and the Meghalaya Tourism Development Forum (MTDF) to reconsider the rail network proposal.
In a statement released on Friday, KSU General Secretary Donald V Thabah called for prioritizing improvements in the state’s education and healthcare sectors, ensuring transparency in recruitment processes, implementing measures against drug abuse, and enhancing overall infrastructure, particularly road connectivity. Thabah emphasized that the organization cannot ignore proposed railway connections to Byrnihat and Shillong, expressing fears that without robust controls, such infrastructure could exacerbate illegal migration into the Khasi-Jaintia Hills.
Thabah reiterated KSU’s demand for strong legislation like the Inner Line Permit (ILP) and the Meghalaya Residents Safety and Security Act (MRSSA) to safeguard indigenous rights. The student body insists that economic development does not need to be compromised if these measures are implemented, contrary to claims that ILP could hinder growth. Thabah pointed to states like Mizoram, Nagaland, and Arunachal Pradesh, which have the ILP in place and reportedly enjoy higher per-capita incomes than Meghalaya.
Moreover, the KSU has called for March 25, 1971, to be established as the cut-off year for recognizing outsiders as permanent residents, to further curb the influx of non-natives. The union maintains that this measure, alongside necessary infrastructure improvements and legislative safeguards, is crucial before any railway development proceeds in the region.
Original Story https://nenews.in/meghalaya/meghalaya-khasi-students-union-opposes-introduction-of-high-speed-luxury-rail-network-in-shillong/15200/
Category : Meghalaya,Khasi Students’ Union,Shillong
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Publish Date: 2024-10-26 14:56:00
