In Meghalaya, several proposed railway projects in the Garo Hills and Jaintia Hills have sparked a conflict between indigenous communities and government officials.
Civil society groups such as the as the A’chik Holistic Awakening Movement (AHAM), the Federation of Khasi Jaintia Garo People (FKJGP), and the Jaintia National Council (JNC) have oppose the projects, amid fears that an increased illegal immigration could threaten indigenous land rights, culture, and demographics. They have demanded strong migration safeguards like the Inner Line Permit (ILP) before proceeding with the plan.
On the other hand, Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma and several MLAs have supported the railway expansion, arguing it will boost trade, improve connectivity, and create economic opportunities.
Two major projects at the center of the debatea are: the 180-km Chaparmukh-Jowai line and the extension of the Guwahati-Mendipathar line to Baghmara and Dhaka. However, tensions regarding this issue escalated in early 2025 amid reports that the Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) had begun surveying areas like Bhoksong, Rajagaon, Baithalangso, Jengkha, and Kherani-Umrangso for a potential railway link to Jowai.
On 23 February 2025,** **the FKJGP urged the Jaintia Hills Autonomous District Council (JHADC) to withhold the no-objection certificate (NOC) needed for the project, citing migration concerns. Subsequently, the JNC announced a black flag rally scheduled for 6 March 2025, to protest the proposed railway line.
Meanwhile, the AHAM group expressed concerns regarding the proposed railway extension to Baghmara. Earlier, three National People’s Party (NPP) MLAs from South Garo Hills had expressed strong support for the project, highlighting its potential to enhance cross-border trade and economic development. Nonetheless, this plan also met with resistance from local groups.
Additionally, the Central government has asked Meghalaya to return funds allocated for the stalled Byrnihat-Shillong railway project, highlighting ongoing challenges in railway implementation due to local opposition from pressure groups.
Chief Minister Conrad Sangma speaking in the Assembly on 4 March 2025, emphasised that the project remains stalled as no land has been acquired in the past eight years. He stated, "Since it is a sensitive matter, the government did not go ahead with the land acquisition. Our approach has always been to engage with stakeholders before moving forward."
He acknowledged the divergent views surrounding the project and stressed that the government's approach would prioritise stakeholder consultations and consensus-building.
Local groups and organisations demanded halting the projects until a robust migration control systems, such as the Inner Line Permit (ILP), are in place. They also suggested improving existing infrastructure like NH-217 instead of building new railways.
The primary reason for the conflict is the fear of an influx of outsiders, which indigenous communities believe could overwhelm Meghalaya’s tribal population and strain its resources. The state’s autonomous district councils, such as the JHADC, play a critical role by controlling land-related approvals, making their stance pivotal.
Demand/Contention of the Affected Community
Demand to cancel the project
Refusal to give up land for the project
Other Demand/Contention of the Affected Community
Region Classification
Urban and Rural
Type of Land
Common and Private
Forest and Non-Forest
What was the action taken by the police?
Arrest
How many people did the police detain or arrest?
10
What is the current status of the detained/accused persons?
Did the person face any violence while in police custody?
Don't know
If any arrests took place, were the accused persons produced before a judge within 24 hours of the arrest?
If the accused was not produced before a magistrate within 24 hours, or not produced at all, what were the reasons?
Legislation under which the accused was charged
IPC Section 435
Section 435 [Mischief by fire or explosive substance with intent to cause damage] Section 332 [Voluntarily causing hurt to deter public servant from his duty]
IPC
Section 147 [Rioting] Section 148 [Rioting, armed with deadly weapon]
Was the accused person informed of their right to legal representation? Did the accused person have access to legal aid?
In cases where the accused person approached the court for bail, was bail granted?
Why was bail granted or rejected? If granted, what were the bail conditions and quantum of bail?
Were there any other notable irregularities that took place, or other significant details?
Details of sources (names of accused, names and numbers of any lawyers, names of any police officers contacted)
Status of Project
Project stalled due to protests
Original Project Deadline
2027
Whether the Project has been Delayed
Significance of Land to Land Owners/Users
Residential area, Government or community-regulated urban commons, Other environmental services, Water bodies, Other Natural Resource extraction/dependence
Whether the project was stalled due to land conflict
Yes
Source/Reference
On 4 March 2025, Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma reiterated that the state government could not proceed with the proposed railway expansion to Shillong due to strong opposition from local groups. Speaking in the Assembly, Sangma emphasised that the project remains stalled as no land has been acquired in the past eight years.
Total investment involved (in Crores):
₹
8896
Type of investment:
Cost of Project
Year of Estimation
Has the Conflict Ended?
No
When did it end?
Why did the conflict end?
Categories of Legislations Involved in the Conflict
Legislations/Policies Involved
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Whether claims/objections were made as per procedure in the relevant statute
No
What was the claim(s)/objection(s) raised by the community?
What was the Decision of the Concerned Government Department?
Legal Processes and Loopholes Enabling the Conflict:
Lack of legal protection over land rights
Violation of free prior informed consent
Legal Status:
Out of Court
Status of Case In Court
Whether any adjudicatory body was approached
No
Name of the adjudicatory body
Name(s) of the Court(s)
Case Number
Main Reasoning/Decision of court
Major Human Rights Violations Related to the Conflict:
Arrest/detention/imprisonment
Whether criminal law was used against protestors:
Section 144 CrPC
Reported Details of the Violation:
On 27 May 2017, at Ronghana village in Ri-Bhoi district, KSU protest against the Tetelia-Byrnihat project turned violent. A mob of around 150 KSU members attacked the railway worker site, damaging property, causing arson, and injuring workers and police. This led to the arrest of at least 10 youths initially, with later reports indicating more members were arrested for arson and related offenses.
Date of Violation
May 26, 2017
Location of Violation
Ronghana village, Ri-Bhoi
Government Departments Involved in the Conflict:
Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR), Ministry of Railways, Government of Meghalaya
PSUs Involved in the Conflict:
Did LCW Approach Government Authorities for Comments?
Name, Designation and Comment of the Government Authorities Approached
Corporate Parties Involved in the Conflict:
Did LCW Approach Corporate Parties for Comments?
Communities/Local Organisations in the Conflict:
KSU, AHAM, Federation of Khasi-Jaintia & Garo People (FKJGP), JNC, Hynñiewtrep Youth Council (HYC), Meghalaya People’s Environment Rights Forum (MPERF)
What was the action taken by the police?
Arrest
How many people did the police detain or arrest?
10
What is the current status of the detained/accused persons?
Did the person face any violence while in police custody?
Don't know
If any arrests took place, were the accused persons produced before a judge within 24 hours of the arrest?
If the accused was not produced before a magistrate within 24 hours, or not produced at all, what were the reasons?
Legislation under which the accused was charged
IPC Section 435
Section 435 [Mischief by fire or explosive substance with intent to cause damage] Section 332 [Voluntarily causing hurt to deter public servant from his duty]
IPC
Section 147 [Rioting] Section 148 [Rioting, armed with deadly weapon]
Was the accused person informed of their right to legal representation? Did the accused person have access to legal aid?
In cases where the accused person approached the court for bail, was bail granted?
Why was bail granted or rejected? If granted, what were the bail conditions and quantum of bail?
Were there any other notable irregularities that took place, or other significant details?
Farmers Yet to Receive Compensation for Tumkur-Honnavar National Highway in Karnataka
Farmers in Gujarat's Junagadh village protest against inclusion in urban area
Farmers await return of land acquired for Kakinada SEZ in Andhra Pradesh
Shillong airport expansion project faces land acquisition hurdle, High Court steps in
Farmers protest against land acquisition for power substation in Gujarat's Moti Boru
Adani's Dharavi Redevelopment plan ignites fear of evictions and displacements among residents
Vizhinjam seaport sparks fear among locals, environmentalists over coastal erosion
In Karnataka's Nagarhole, Jenu Kurubas fight to reclaim ancestral land amid delay in FRA claims settlement