SHILLONG, JULY 7: Former KSU leader and now the adviser of its breakway faction – HYC, Anthony Kharbuli today made a clarion call by asking all the pressure groups to “unite” against the proposed railway project in the Khasi-Jaintia land.
Kharbuli recalled that the move to introduce railway line by the PA Sangma led government has been stopped during the tenure of former KSU leader late Bull N Lyngdoh in 1989.
Kharbuli was also the then publicity secretary under Lyngdoh’s leadership.
“But now after 28 years, this issue has cropped up where the government took advantage because pressure groups of today are “too weak”,” he told reporters at news conference held here on Friday.
This came at a time when though the pressure groups are pushing for the same demand – to put on hold the construction of railway line in Ri Bhoi district in absence of anti-influx mechanisms – but are taking up the issue separately.
Pointing out at the disunity among the pressure groups over the ongoing protest against the proposed railway line in Ri Bhoi district, he said it is meaningless if pressure groups are requesting the government to invite talks.
“Therefore, the need of the hour is for all pressure groups to be united under one flag to ensure that this move to introduce the railway again is stopped. But those who survives by donation let them not come forward,” Kharbuli said.
Kharbuli further informed that the Advisory committee of the Hynniewtrep Youth Council (HYC) has decided to invite all the pressure groups to attend a meeting which will be convened shortly to discuss on the railway issue.
“We want to form a sort of a joint action committee of all the NGOs to protest in one voice against the railway project,” the HYC adviser said adding “If we fail to ensure the railway is stop then it is better to do away with pressure groups.”
According to him, the agitational strategies will accordingly be chalked out once the suggestion of having a united force of the pressure groups is accepted.
Lauding the KSU for its firm stand on the issue, he said that the advisory committee would soon meet the leadership of the KSU to discuss on the need to hold the proposed meeting at its office.
It may be mentioned here, the construction works of the railway line at Ronghona village under Byrnihat police outpost have come to a standstill after a violent protest by the KSU on May 27. Several of its activists have also been arrested.
Asked, Kharbuli said that the coming of the railway will surely affect the people of the state pending the implementation of the proposed comprehensive mechanisms to check influx.
“When in 1994, the state had already faced the problem of influx in many areas like Motphran, Iewduh and others, the coming of the railway will further increase the problem,” he asserted.
He added, “The comprehensive mechanisms will act as a strong door to prevent illegal influx into the state.”
Lambasted at the Mukul led state government’s adamant attitude, Kharbuli said, “We suggest Mukul to take the railway project to Garo Hills if such anti-influx mechanisms are not put in place.”
He also said that it is also high time that elected representatives responsible for allegedly destroying the indigenous community be taught a lesson.
Meanwhile, the former KSU leader also slammed the attitude of the opposition political parties. “Actually we do not have any opposition parties in the state, as they act as “patience” parties,” he said.
On the recent statement of Leader of Opposition Donkupar Roy who suggested the need to debate on the merits and demerits of the railway, Kharbuli said, “He (Roy) is a comic of the UDP. We have rail of people from outside already it is only that we are yet to have a metal track for them to come via the trains.”
+ There are no comments
Add yours