Night road blockade in Ri-Bhoi district from today
By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: The standoff between the State Government and the NGOs from Ri Bhoi district over the four-laning controversy seems to have aggravated after the Joint Action Committee (JAC) stated that the incumbent Chief Minister Dr Mukul Sangma is not bothered about what happens in ‘this side of the State’.
JAC member and KSU North Khasi Hills president Donkupar Sumer who is spearheading the movement against the Government on the issue of four laning said on Wednesday said, “It seems Dr Mukul Sangma is the Chief Minister of Garo Hills and not of the State as he is concerned only about Garo Hills.”
The NGOs of Ri Bhoi under the banner of JAC are protesting the Government’s decision to construct the four-laned highway from the existing Umsning road and had wanted to discuss the matter with the Chief Minister himself.
But Dr Sangma refused to give them an audience, stating that talks with any aggrieved party/parties have to go through the official channels. Dr Sangma is reported to have said that the NGOs should observe this protocol and have enough confidence in the bureaucracy.
“We wanted to meet Dr Mukul Sangma since the month of August but he has not entertained us thereby proving that he is not bothered about Khasi and Jaintia Hills and is concerned only for Garo Hills,” Sumer stated.
The JAC has already called for night road blockade of National Highway 40 beginning from Thursday and a day-long Ri-Bhoi district bandh in protest against the State Government’s decision to build the four-lane highway along the existing thoroughfare at Umsning.
The Ri Bhoi District Administration has imposed Section 144 CrPC in the entire district in view of the JAC’s proposed night road blockade. Meanwhile in a desperate move to solve the ongoing impasse over the four laning issue, former Deputy Commissioner of Akash Deep has once again been re-appointed as Deputy Commissioner, Ri Bhoi district.
It is learnt that former Ri Bhoi, DC, M Kharmujai is transferred from Ri Bhoi district as he had suggested in his report that the four-lane highway should be constructed along the Umsning bye pass whereas the Government is intending to construct the road from the existing Umsning thoroughfare.
Meanwhile the JAC has strongly condemned the move of the State Government to transfer Kharmujai from Ri Bhoi district.
“We know it is the handiwork of HDR Lyngdoh. As far as we are concerned Kharmujai has been an efficient administrator,” he added while stating that the MLAs from Ri-Bhoi district should not allow themselves to be pushed around by HDR Lyngdoh.
The Ri-Bhoi NGOs are also apprehensive that the project might ultimately be cancelled by NHAI due to the new proposal for re-aligning the four-laning through Umsning instead of the earlier by-pass proposal.