By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: The Deputy Commissioner, Williamnagar, Vijay Kumar Mantri on Wednesday rushed food supplies to distant villages beyond the Simsang river to be distributed to poor people.
Two MCS officers, Rezina Marak and Ripamchi Sangma, both ladies crossed the Simsang river undaunted by the bandh called by the GNLA, along with 40 bags of rice. No security personnel accompanied the two officers as the police are fully deployed across Garo Hills to keep a tight control over the situation.
The Williamnagar DC could arrange only rice on Wednesday. He did that by forcing a whole-seller to open his godown and took the necessary supplies for the suffering poor in remote villages who live from hand to mouth.
When asked if he received any distress call from the villagers, Mantri, said, “Some priests had called me saying the villagers had come to the church to ask for rice and other food items. They were on the verge of starvation so I had to respond immediately.”
Mantri said he was grateful to the two officers who ventured to reach the food supplies to the villagers.
“We have to find a way to regularize this system of food distribution. I knew that the food supplies in East Garo Hills had run short since Saturday last as those who could afford had bought up everything. When Saturday (May 5) arrives and the bandh ends people will rush to buy rice, dal and other food items. I have to ensure that enough supplies come in from Dudhnoi to replenish the stock of food items in the district,” Mr Mantri said.
The district administrations of West and South Garo Hills, however, failed to mobilize similar assistance for those in distant villages who are in dire straits.