SHILLONG, DEC 8: The Jaintia Students’ Union (JSU) has strongly opposed the North East Frontier Railway’s (NFR) plan to conduct surveys for two proposed railway lines leading to Jowai in West Jaintia Hills district
This came after that the Centre government in its 2024–2025 budget proposal, has approved the conduct of surveys for two railway routes leading to Jowai that is namely the Jowai, Khliehriat & Chandranathpur line (79 km) and the Chaparmukh & Jowai line (180 km).
The JSU has warned the government against attempting to impose the railway project by force, especially in the absence of prior laws to protect the rights of the tribal population and without the implementation of measures such as the Inner Line Permit (ILP) system to prevent further influx of illegal settlers.
“We oppose the railway project primarily because, even till today, there are no strong and effective laws in place to regulate and control illegal influx into our state,” JSU said in a statement issued on Monday.
“If the railway is allowed to enter the Jaintia region, a serious threat will loom over our beautiful hills and land.”
The JSU is concerned that the introduction of the railway project without proper legal safeguards will lead to further influx of outsiders, threatening the local culture and way of life.
“We have already witnessed what happened in Them Iew Mawlong (Them Metor) and in areas affected by land surveys, where the issues remain unresolved to this day, with continuous delays in relocation,” the union said.
The JSU has urged the government to prioritize the interests of the local people and to put in place necessary safeguards to protect the environment and the rights of the tribal population before proceeding with any development project.
By Our Reporter
