Shillong, April 14: The opposition Voice of the People Party (VPP) has announced that it will not participate in the upcoming meeting of the All Party Committee constituted by the state government to examine the issue of railway connectivity in the Khasi and Jaintia Hills region of the state.

In a letter to the Chief Secretary DP Wahlang, VPP general secretary and Shillong MP Dr Ricky AJ Syngkon said, “…the VPP regrets to inform that we shall not be participating in the said committee at this juncture.”

Appreciating the government’s initiative in constituting an All Party Committee, Syngkon said, “However, the VPP is of the opinion that before any discussion on the introduction of railway lines in Khasi and Jaintia Hills can take place, it is imperative to first address the genuine concerns of the people regarding unchecked influx into the state.”

He stated that the party is of the view that the formation of a committee to discuss and implement effective mechanisms to prevent or check influx – such as the inner line permit (ILP) – must take precedence over deliberations on railway connectivity.

“We firmly believe that only when adequate and reliable protective mechanisms to regulate the influx or immigration of people into the state are in place can we safely consider introducing railway lines, without compromising the interests and identity of the indigenous population,” he said adding “Any premature discussion on railway connectivity, without first addressing these fundamental concerns, would only lead to a waste of valuable time and resources.”

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