From Our Correspondent
JOWAI: UDP has criticized the Jaintia Hills Autonomous District Council Executive Committee’s decision to delimit a few constituencies saying some vested interests are behind this.
Addressing newsmen here on Tuesday, the UDP general secretary LD Lakiang said MB Rymbai-led EC in connivance with some vested interests forced this bifurcation and delimitation of some Council constituencies.
Several constituencies including Amwi- Khliehtyrsshi, Jowai North, Jowai South were delimited, while few others were left untouched.
Lakiang said the delimitation was done without taking into consideration geographical importance of these constituencies. “It seems that none of the JHADC members has any knowledge about geography,” he added.
Citing an example, Lakiang said Ialong and Mulang polling stations under Ialong village were removed unnecessarily from Jowai North and it was merged with Jowai Central.
“It was done that just because villagers of Ialong never supported JU Nongrum who presently represents the Jowai Central constituency,” said another UPD member.
Similarly, Thanbuli, Shkenpyrsit, Shkentalang, Moosakhia and some other villages under Amwi Khliehtyrshi were merged with Jowai South District constituency. Amwi – Khliehtyrshi is the constituency of the JHADC Chief MB Rymbai.
“The delimitation was done keeping the interest of some MDCs and MLAs without any public hearing or consultation with traditional institutions,” Lakiang said while demanding a proper delimitation of the constituencies.
Meanwhile, the EC’s decision to merge Ialong village with Jowai Central has shocked its MDC Moonlight Pariat.
“The delimitation was not done systematically. They want to eliminate me from politics,” Pariat said.
Clarifying his stand, the JHADC chief Rymbai said that the Committee had just released the draft proposal. “No decision has been taken to delimit constituencies as several members have already aired their opposition to the draft proposal,” he added.