By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: The agitating NGOs of Garo Hills under the banner of Joint Action Committee (JAC) have announced their series of agitations in South and East Garo Hills districts over the Daribokgre dam’s issue, starting with a week-long night road blockade along the NH-62 from 7pm-5am with effect from May 20-26.
Announcing their agitational programmes here on Monday, JAC joint secretary Sengseng Marak said that the night road blockade will be followed by a three-day picketing of the PHE office at Williamnagar starting from May 22.
Marak, who is also the president of the FKJGP Williamnagar, stated that they had earlier on April 20 issued a 7-day ultimatum to the State government to cancel the project. “However, after the government failed to respond to our demands, we were forced to act accordingly, starting with a two-day demonstration on May 16-17 and other agitational programmes”, Marak said.
It was also informed that on May 7, a letter was received by the JAC from the chief secretary stating that the project will be temporarily suspended.
The letter further stated that the Chief Minister has sought for a preparation of a detail project report presentation from the officials which will be viewed by him following his return from his tour, in order to get clarity on the advantages and disadvantages of the project while sharing views and opinions on same.
The student and social organizations of East and south Garo Hills came together to form the JAC to pressure the Meghalaya Government to dismantle the Daribokgre dam and cancel the project to divert its water to towns.
The JAC is apprehensive that diverting of the water from Daribokgre would result in the Simsang River drying up gradually since it happens to be one of its tributaries supplying fresh water.