By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: The Achik Students’ Welfare Association (ASWA) has urged the government to develop the Garo dominated areas of West Khasi Hills by creating a civil subdivision, C&RD block and reopening of border haats.
In a letter addressed to the Chief Minister Dr Mukul Sangma on Thursday, the ASWA submitted its 11-point charter of demands stressing on the need to concentrate on the concerned areas which generate a large amount of revenue for the State.
Expressing concern over the growing crime in West Khasi Hills, the ASWA alleged that the present administration has failed to tackle the anti-social elements in areas like Moheskola, Khonjoy etc.
“There is a great need for an effective administrative machinery to address the various issues concerning the people of the area,” the ASWA said.
Asking the government to set up more police stations and outposts in coal belt areas of West Khasi Hills, the ASWA stated that such areas have witnessed increasing cases of extortion, issuance of demand notes and threats by militant groups.
“The Borsora Police Outpost alone cannot tackle the growing crime in the area,” the ASWA said.
Highlighting the need reopen the border haat at Bagli the students’ body said, “This step will establish traditional systems of marketing of local produce between India and Bangladesh and will also restore economic and commercial ties between the people of both sides of the border.”
“The initiative will further reduce the informal trade which exists between the two countries and open opportunities for greater bilateral trade”, the ASEWA letter stated. The other demands include widening, strengthening and black topping of Ranikor-Baghmara via Moheskolla PWD roads, making the Khonjoy PHC functional, reinstallation of MTC service from Moheskolla to Shillong via Ranikor, etc.