Raphael Warjri

National People’s Party (NPP) leader Hima M. Shangpliang on Monday clarified the purpose behind the formation of the All Political Party Committee (APPC), which has been constituted to deliberate on the contentious issue of introducing railway connectivity in Meghalaya, particularly in the Khasi Hills.

Shangpliang's statement comes in the wake of the Indian National Congress and the Voice of the People’s Party (VPP) publicly declining to participate in the APPC.

He emphasized that the committee was formed to gather the views of all political parties on whether or not railway projects should proceed in the state. According to Shangpliang, responsible parties should be willing to come to the table for discussions to help reach a viable and lasting solution to the issue.

In parallel, Shangpliang noted that the state government also plans to establish a Consultative Committee comprising pressure groups, civil society organizations, and other stakeholders. This body will help the government understand broader public sentiment on the railway issue, for which funding has already been sanctioned by the Central Government.