Tura, July 13: The Association for Democracy and Empowerment (ADE), a Garo hills-based NGO, lent its support to the ongoing resistance against a railway project in Khasi hills.
In a release issued here today, the NGO extended support to the Khasi Students' Union (KSU) and other organisations that opposed the project in Khasi hills.
"ADE strongly condemns the high-handed stance of the government towards the protesters. This arrogance of the administration can never achieve a fruitful outcome as disagreements can only be resolved through deliberate discussions," the release said.
The organisation urged the government to understand the "real concerns" behind the protests.
"ADE recognises the changes in transportation that could be achieved through this railway connectivity around the state but it is also concerned about the collateral damages these projects could cause to the ethnic people. The state is now going through a critical phase of ethnicity crisis because of heavy influx, especially along the border areas," it said.
The NGO also raised concern on influx that might be aggravated through rail connectivity.
"ADE, along with other NGOs, is fighting for a comprehensive mechanism to check influx. In the previous years, we had several rounds of talks with the authorities and we were assured of a mechanism, including check gate, registration of tourists and skilled and unskilled labourers along the border areas. But nothing has been done on the ground," it said.
The organisation has urged the government to come up with a fully secure mechanism to deal with the issue by initiating a consultation with all the parties involved.
Pointing to the only rail connectivity at Mendipathar in Garo hills, the NGO said, "The so-called fully functional Mendipathar railway station near the Assam border has provided nothing but a single passenger train that runs to and fro between Mendipathar and Guwahati. The people of Garo hills, except the nearby areas, couldn't avail of its services because of unreasonable timing of its operation but we've seen increase in crimes such as abduction, sexual harassment and theft."
