Shillong, Feb 4: The Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) along with the different traditional heads (Chief) on Friday decided to not give consent for railway head at Byrnihat, Ri Bhoi District.

Speaking to reporters, KHADC CEM Titos Chyne said that the District Council along with the Basan of Nongkseh, the Syiem Raid Marwet and the Syiem Raid Nongpoh and various headmen which fall under the areas required for the acquisition of the railway line will not give any consent for bringing the railway line in Ri Bhoi.

Chyne said, “The Government continues to write to us asking the Consent. We’re compelled to call for this meeting so that we’ll have a consultative meeting with the traditional heads and to get their views… in this meeting unanimously we (KHADC) along with the traditional heads are on the same page with this decision on the railway line.”

“The main purpose of the District Council is to protect the interest of the indigenous people or the Tribals… we are a small tribe, if we allow the coming of railway there will be a problem with influx,” added Chyne.

The CEM further stated that the Government is not clear with the requirement of the land for the railway line whether it is for passenger train or goods carrier train, but from the council they will stick with their decision taken on Friday.

The total area required for the acquisition of railway line is around 76,766 sq/m which belongs to 16 land owners, futher informed Chyne.

The CEM also asserted that the District Council strongly demands a mechanism on checking the influx in the state like the Inner Line Permit (ILP).