Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma has voiced strong disappointment over the refusal of Opposition parties to join the all-party committee on railway projects, accusing them of undermining democratic norms by refusing to participate in critical discussions.
Parties like the Voice of the People Party (VPP), Congress, and Trinamool Congress (TMC) have declined invitations to join the committee. They argue that any conversation on railway expansion in the state is premature without first implementing a robust anti-influx measure like the Inner Line Permit (ILP).
Reacting to their absence, the Chief Minister stressed that while disagreements are part of politics, dialogue must not be abandoned. “You may agree or disagree, but at the very least, we must come together to share our ideas and concerns. Avoiding the discussion altogether is, in my opinion, democratically very wrong,” Sangma said on Wednesday.
The all-party committee, which is chaired by the Chief Minister, was intended to serve as a platform for political leaders and civil society stakeholders to jointly deliberate on the contentious issue of railway connectivity, especially in the Khasi-Jaintia Hills. Its first meeting was expected to take place by the end of April but has stalled due to the Opposition boycott.
The committee was formed amid growing debate over railway expansion in the state. Several powerful pressure groups, including the Khasi Students’ Union (KSU), Federation of Khasi-Jaintia and Garo People (FKJGP), Jaintia Students’ Union (JSU), and the Hynniewtrep National Youth Front (HNYF), have consistently maintained that no railway projects should proceed in the Khasi-Jaintia region until a foolproof mechanism to control illegal immigration is in place.
These groups fear that improved rail connectivity without proper safeguards will lead to an influx of outsiders, threatening the demographic and cultural fabric of the indigenous communities. Their demand for implementing ILP—a colonial-era law currently in force in some northeastern states—has remained central to the anti-railway sentiment in these hills.
In sharp contrast, stakeholders in the Garo Hills have taken a more welcoming stance toward railway development. Residents and local leaders in the western region of the state have openly supported the expansion of rail connectivity and have urged both the state and central governments to extend the line from Mendipathar to other districts in the Garo Hills.
The Mendipathar station, which became Meghalaya’s first and only operational railway station in 2014, is located in the Garo Hills and has been viewed as a catalyst for economic growth in that part of the state. Encouraged by this, many in the region believe enhanced railway infrastructure could improve access, boost trade, and generate employment opportunities.
With the all-party committee failing to make headway, the future of railway projects in the Khasi-Jaintia Hills remains uncertain. Meanwhile, the growing divide between regional perspectives continues to challenge the state’s efforts to build a unified transport strategy that balances connectivity with cultural and demographic concerns.
Chief Minister Sangma reiterated his call for dialogue, urging political parties across the spectrum to set aside differences and come together for meaningful discussions. “The committee was set up to hear everyone’s voice. Refusing to participate only delays decisions that affect the entire state,” he said, emphasizing that progress can only be made through inclusive and democratic conversation.
