EnseMedia
KSU Rejects Minister’s Claim of Price Rise Linked to Lack of Railways
Shillong, Sept 14: The Khasi Students’ Union (KSU) has firmly refuted the assertions made by the Food & Civil Supplies Minister, Comingone Ymbon, linking the absence of railways to the escalating prices of essential commodities in the region. The union argues that such statements are a diversion from the government’s failure to effectively tackle inflation, affecting the state’s residents.
Donald V Thabah, KSU’s general secretary, urged the public not to be swayed by what he termed as “irresponsible statements,” making the union’s stance on the issue clear through a recent communiqué.
Thabah reiterated KSU’s unwavering opposition to the introduction of railway lines in the Khasi-Jaintia Hills region, a position held since Bull Lyngdoh’s era. He emphasized the union’s primary concern: the absence of robust anti-influx mechanisms, necessary to prevent unchecked migration into the area, which the railways could exacerbate.
“Our uncompromising demand has been the implementation of the Eastern Bengal Frontier Regulation 1873, or the Inner Line Permit (ILP), to safeguard our region,” Thabah added.
The KSU’s resistance to railway development isn’t new, with significant protests recorded in 1989 and a resurgence in 2017 against the North East Frontier Railways’ (NEFR) construction efforts from Tetelia to Byrnihat. The 2017 incident led to the arrest of over 40 KSU activists, underscoring the union’s commitment to their cause.
Thabah highlighted this episode as evidence of KSU’s readiness to take stringent measures, should the government proceed without addressing the need for stringent anti-influx measures, such as the ILP.
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