Railway link opposed by Jaintia National Council president

Shillong: The Jaintia National Council (JNC) on Monday expressed its displeasure against the Meghalaya government and opposed railway projects in East Jaintia Hills district.
An official update by its president CEC Sambormi Lyngdoh said that the Jaintia Hills District Autonomous Council (JHADC) has not stopped trade by outsiders in the Jaintia Hills and has not. Dorbar Shnong is fully empowered by the state or ADC to deal with arrivals.
“If the railway is implemented, there will be a large number of outsiders who will flee to our hills. So, as residents of a Sixth Schedule area, we have the right to protest against projects and so-called development. “Currently, there is no railway but people face problems whenever it comes to local businesses,” said the JNC.
The council said the railway projects will affect rural areas, forests, hills, water and lakes as local people still depend on nature.
He said that East Jaintia Hills district is one of the districts with the highest number of factories and the increase of railway connectivity will only benefit the factories. “The question is what will happen to our local traders and trucks,” he asked.
JNC said that an important point is that railways will not only bring goods and materials, but it will only benefit outsiders. “Illegal settlers will be born, intermarriages will happen especially in rural areas, as it is now also increasing.
We strongly believe that this will create major problems as we are still clinging to our culture and identity. What will become of our future generation?” said the JNC.
The JNC also requested the Jaintia cabinet ministers to highlight the issue in the cabinet and the development issues in the East Jaintia Hills district, from road construction to dysfunctional government schools, the poor condition of the government hospital, Instead of talking about railways, demanding a government college in a district etc.
The council would also like to question that if the government has crores of rupees on railway projects, why not a government college? What do you think about two abandoned residential schools in one district? he asked.
Further, the JNC said the council is “ready to do whatever or face any cost if the government fails to dream up the issue of railway projects in East Jaintia Hills district”.