From Our Correspondent
TURA: Disillusioned with the Meghalaya Government for its refusal to transfer out a controversial BDO of Selsella block the Garo Students’ Union (GSU) and its allies have announced a fresh round of agitations in the Dadenggre region of West Garo Hills beginning Monday.
A dawn-to-dusk bandh has been called on August 19 and 20 throughout Dadenggre region to demand the transfer of Selsella BDO Dr. D Roy.
“We have decided to hold a 5 AM to 5 PM non cooperation movement throughout Dadenggre sub-division extending to Garobadha and Jengjal including National Highway 51,” informed GSU regional president Rupa Marak to The Shillong Times on Wednesday.
He added that the protest closure would extend from Pedaldoba, Medhipara, Tikrikilla, Chibinang, Phulbari, Rajabala, Selsella, Garobadha, Dadenggre all the way to Jengjal from where NH 51 passes through.
“We will continue to agitate as long as the government keeps a corrupted and tainted officer like Dr Roy in Selsella. We want his removal,” said the Union.
The organization has been joined in the protests by the A’chik Youth Welfare Organization, FKJGP, a group of nokmas and village heads, and the mothers’ Union of Selsella region.
The NGOs are also demanding the cancellation of a transfer given to a lady education officer. The sub-divisional school education officer of Dadenggre, Mrs IG Momin, has been transferred to Mairang in Khasi Hills.
The NGOs have accused the government of political vendetta since the officer happened to be the spouse of a politician from the opposition party.
The two-day closure is expected to adversely affect the economy of the region which thrives on its local produce. Tuesday happens to be the weekly market day of Garobadha which is one of the largest markets, after Tura, in Garo Hills.
The area of Chibinang and Tikrikilla is also having its peak harvest season for the famous organic pineapples of Garo Hills which are is high demand outside the region.
The previous protest shutdowns called by the NGOs, two week ago, led to a near total standstill of economic activity in the entire region.