Shillong, Oct 21: Senior National People’s Party (NPP) leader and cabinet minister Timothy D Shira has asserted that the party had long been demanding for extension of railway connectivity in Garo Hills and that opposition Congress MP Saleng A Sangma’s similar demand “lacks originality”.
Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, the NPP leader pointed out that during his tenure as an MLA, Saleng Sangma had remained silent on the issue of railway extension.
“That (Sangma’s demand) is duplicate. There are other MLAs who are making a demand for extension of railways, that is just repetition, he has no original idea,” Shira said.
“When he was MLA, he could have at least demanded for extension of railways. If he wants to do something good to the people… but so lone he was MLA, he kept silent,” Shira quipped.
The minister said MLAs, particularly from the NPP, have demanded extension of railway lines to Baghmara in South Garo Hills district.
He also highlighted the efforts of the people of his Resubelpara constituency, where Meghalaya’s only railway head is located at Mendipathar, in protecting their land and preventing influx of outsiders.
Shira emphasized that the people in his area are conscious and vigilant, ensuring that outsiders do not settle or acquire land without permission.
However, he acknowledged the presence of outsiders engaged in business in the region.
