Shillong, Oct 13: The Jaintia Students’ Union (JSU) on Friday said only a handful of businessmen of Jaintia Hills support railway line in the region even as it argued that having railways may not necessarily bring down the prices of essential commodities.

Reiterating their opposition to government’s move to introduce railway line in the Khasi-Jaintia Hills region in absence of the inner line permit (ILP), JSU said, “There is no point in establishing a railway connection as long as the ILP is not granted to our State.”

This came days after Deputy Chief Minister Sniawbhalang Dhar stated that the government has no intention to drop the idea of railway line in Khasi and Jaintia Hills region.

Through a press statement on Friday, the Union said that only a small section of people mainly businessmen of Jaintia Hills wanted railways in the region. Stating that ILP is a special permit that restricts the entry of outsiders into Meghalaya, which would also protect the rights and culture of the indigenous community, the JSU continued, “…without proper safeguards through ILP, an influx of people due to railway connectivity might have negative social and economic impacts on the indigenous population in the Jaintia Hills.”

On the difference in the cost of goods between Assam (which is already connected by rail) and Meghalaya, the Union argued that the cost of goods in Assam, where railway plays a role in transportation, is more expensive compared to the price of goods in Meghalaya and one must know that even the cost of cement is higher in the production state of Meghalaya than in Assam so the point to bring railway to ease transportation of cement to other state will only benefits businessmen not to the people of Meghalaya .

“This suggests that the introduction of railways might not necessarily lead to more affordable goods in our region and introduction of railway infrastructure might improve accessibility but it will only increase migration or movement of people from other areas. Such influx can have social, economic, and environmental impacts on the state,” it claimed.

It further suggested for consideration of perspectives of different stakeholders and engage in open dialogue to find a balanced solution that addresses the concerns of the local communities and ensures sustainable development in the region.

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