SHILLONG: Buckling under pressure from NGOs and student unions, the state government has put on hold railway construction projects in the Ri Bhoi district until the state can put in place mechanisms to deal with influx and illegal immigration in the state."We have decided to hold the work on railways till comprehensive mechanisms to tackle influx and illegal immigration are in place," chief minister Mukul Sangma said, addressing the media on Wednesday after chairing a meeting with 13 NGOs at the Main Secretariat. The decision will be conveyed to the Indian Railways soon, he added.The state government has identified several sites for entry and exit points. These places would be akin to immigration checks at airports. Work on some of the entry-exit points are at an advanced stage - including two in Jaintia Hills and four in Garo Hills . The CM also said that rules for two important legislations, the Residents Safety and Security Act and the amended Benami Transition Prohibition Act, would be framed soon.Land acquisition for the railway project had been completed for the 22-km track and survey work was on. There were sporadic cases of arson in various parts of Khasi Hills and Ri Bhoi districts as part of the agitation by NGOs opposing the introduction of railways in the Khasi-Jaintia Hills.The Khasi Students' Union (KSU) has been spearheading the opposition to railways. Violence was first reported at Byrnihat in May this year at the proposed construction site of the 22-km Tetelia-Byrnihat railway line. Several KSU members were arrested following vandalization of the railway construction site and subsequent assault of labourers. Some are still in judicial custody.

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