SHILLONG, JULY 14: The Association for Democracy and Empowerment (ADE), which is one of the groups demanding implementation of comprehensive mechanism to check influx, today alleged increase in crimes with the operation of the first railway station in the state at Mendipathar in Garo Hills.
It has also threatened to launch a statewide protest against any proposed railway projects in the state if the Congress-led MUA-II government fails to address the issues related to influx and illegal immigration into the state.
“People of the entire Garo Hills reason, except the nearby areas, couldn’t avail its services due to the unreasonable timing of its operation but we’ve seen increase in crimes like abduction, sexual harassment and theft,” ADE president Dalseng Bira Ch Momin said in a statement issued here.
Stating that Garo Hills region has witnessed its portion of damages through the railway connectivity, he said that the so-called fully functioning Mendipathar Railway Station near Assam border has contributed nothing but a single passenger train which runs between Mendipathar to Guwahati and vice versa.
Expressing its support to the ongoing protest against proposed railway project in Khasi Hills region, Momin said, “We strongly supports the movement and stands in unison with KSU and other NGOs.”
Demanding the government to take necessary steps to address the issues which concerns the NGOs of the state before commencing any further, he said, “Unless and until these matters are tackled the ADE in cooperation with all NGOs will be compelled to initiate a statewide agitation against any future railway projects.”
Referring to the recent arrest of several activists, the ADE also condemns what it called as high handed stance of the government towards the protesters.
“This arrogance of the administration can never achieve a fruitful outcome as we all know disagreements can only be resolved through deliberate discussions. Government should make an effort to realize the real concerns behind the movement,” Momin said.
“ADE recognizes what revolutionary leapt in transportation could be achieved through this railway connectivity around the state for the common people but ADE also has concerns about the collateral damages these projects could cause to the ethnic people of the state.”
Stating that the state is now going through a very critical phase of ethnicity crisis due to heavy influx especially along the border areas, he however said, “The real question is not about the Railway Projects but the heavy influx problem of the state.”
Meanwhile, the ADE maintained that the organization along with other NGOs are still fighting for a comprehensive mechanism to check influx, like the Inner Line Permit (ILP), for a very long time.
“In the previous years, we had several rounds of talks with the authorities and we were assured of an all inclusive mechanism – influx check gate, registration of tourists or skilled/unskilled labors, will be implemented along the border areas,” he said.
He however said but nothing has been done on the ground since then, so people have lost their faith on empty promises (of the government).
According to him, the government should abandon its myopic vision on this issue and come up with a fully secure mechanism to check the influx crisis with opening its doors for consultation with all the parties involved.
+ There are no comments
Add yours