Shillong, Dec 6: The People’s Democratic Front (PDF), a constituent of the NPP-led Meghalaya Democratic Alliance (MDA) government, has reiterated that it will not allow railway head at Byrnihat in Ri Bhoi until the implementation of Inner Line Permit (ILP) in State.

“We have already made our stand very clear in some of the important meetings of the Meghalaya Democratic Alliance that we are against the railway head in Byrnihat, Ri Bhoi,” PDF chief Banteidor Lyngdoh told journalists on Monday, adding that without the ILP it will be very difficult to tackle the problem of influx.

“That is why we are not in favour of bringing the railway head in Byrnihat,” he said.

On the recent appeal made by the Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma on the need for introduction of goods train in the state, Lyngdoh however said, “As a leader of the state he (CM) has to (make appeal for railway in State) but it is upto the people to decide.”

“As far as my information and knowledge goes, we see that people are not accepting this project till now. That is why it is better not to bring if people are not accepting,” he further asserted.

On the allegation that the present state government lacks seriousness to pursue the ILP demand, the PDF prez said, “To say that we are not serious (as a government) is not right.”

He also informed that the PDF as a party had also written to the Union Home Minister for implementation of the ILP in Meghalaya and as a government had passed a resolution in the Assembly.

“We have already submitted the resolution to the Government of India and now the ball is in its court,” he said.