SHILLONG: The Jaintia National Council (JNC) has announced a black flag rally on March 6 to protest against the proposed railway project in Meghalaya's Jaintia Hills region.
JNC Central Executive Committee President Sambormi Lyngdoh criticised the state government for disregarding their long-pending memorandum opposing the project. He asserted that the rally would demonstrate the people's rejection of the railway unless a robust mechanism is implemented to prevent the influx of outsiders into the hills. Lyngdoh urged the public to participate in the rally, calling it a move "for the betterment" of the region.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma disclosed that the Centre has requested the state to return funds allocated for the stalled Byrnihat-Shillong railway project. The project has been put on hold since 2016-17 due to opposition from pressure groups.
Newly elected Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) Chief Executive Member (CEM) Shemborlang Rynjah stated that the Executive Committee would assess the current status of the Centre's proposal before taking an official stand. He stressed the need for a strong framework to safeguard the indigenous Khasi community before supporting railway development.
Similarly, the Federation of Khasi Jaintia Garo People (FKJGP) has opposed the proposed 180-km rail line from Chaparmukh Junction in Assam to Jowai in Meghalaya. The group has urged the Jaintia Hills Autonomous District Council (JHADC) not to issue a no-objection certificate (NOC) to the Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) without a concrete mechanism to address the influx concerns, warning that the project could threaten the region's cultural and demographic integrity.
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