Shillong, May 14: UDP leader and cabinet minister Kyrmen Shylla has refrained from expressing his view on the contentious railway issue and rather preferred people of Jaintia Hills to have the final word on the proposed railway project in the region.
“I would want the people of Jaintia Hills to decide on the railway issue,” the Khliehriat MLA told reporters on Wednesday.
Underlining the need for a public hearing on the proposed railway project in East Jaintia Hills district, he said, “We should have a public hearing and let the people decide (on the issue) as it is not for ma Kyrmen or anybody to decide. Let the public decide if railways would benefit them and the region or not,” Shylla said.
“If the public says no to railways then that day itself we should put a full stop (to this issue). If public says yes, why only government should support why not the NGOs, why not different communities?,” he maintained.
To another query, he said, “We have heard different voices and different ideas and comments on it but the majority wins in the end.”
Explaining that the people should always have the say in a democracy, he said, “This is because anything we do, it is for the public. We are their servants and as servants, it is our duty to provide for their needs and we should not go against their will and their wishes.”
