From Our Correspondent
TURA: The student and social organizations of East Garo Huills under the banner of Joint Action Committee (JAC) have rejected a government offer to call off their protest even as the two day office picketing of government offices in Williamnagar ended on a peaceful note on Wednesday.
The State government through a letter from the Meghalaya Chief Secretary had urged the agitating group to suspend their protests until next week when the state Chief Minister would be meeting a delegation of leaders from the JAC.
The letter also mentioned that ongoing construction work at Daribokgre dam had been halted to facilitate the talks.
The JAC is against the damming of the Daribokgre stream since there is apprehension the Simsang river in East Garo Hills could face a major ecological disaster given that Daribokgre stream is one of the main tributaries that provide fresh water to the river even during the dry season.
“Deputy Commissioner V K Mantri handed over a letter on behalf of the government asking us to halt our ongoing protests, but, we decided against since there is no assurance in black and white,” informed JAC Chairman Taison D Shira.
The letter reportedly mentioned that the Chief Minister Dr Mukul Sangma would participate in a power point presentation on the dam issue in which the leaders of the JAC would be invited.
A suspension of the ongoing stir was rejected on Tuesday evening by the JAC which went ahead with its second day office picketing on Wednesday. The impact of the picketing was most evident in Williamnagar town where volunteers restricted government officials and staff from entering the offices.
“Even the deputy commissioner was not allowed to enter the DC office today,” claimed JAC Chairman Shira on Wednesday evening.
Meanwhile, the JAC has decided to go ahead with its upcoming mass public rally at police parade ground on Friday morning. The organization has also mentioned that there would only be a rally and a sit-in demonstration and not a bandh as was being mentioned in some circles.
“We will be going ahead with the public rally beginning from 10:30 AM and have invited people from all walks of life from Williamnagar and far flung areas to join our protest against the construction of the dam at Daribokgre,” said the JAC.