From Our Correspondent
NONGSTOIN / MAWKYRWAT/ RANIKOR: Defying bandh and constant downpour, the people of West and South West Khasi Hills districts turned out in huge numbers to celebrate the country’s 67th Independence Day at various venues in the districts.
The proscribed HNLC had called for boycott of the Independence Day celebrations in the State but that did not seem to change the mind of the residents of these districts who jubilantly participated in the celebrations at each of the venues.
In West Khasi Hills, Deputy Chief Minister Rowell Lyngdoh unfurled the national flag in Nongstoin in the presence of over 1400 people. 20 parade contingents also participated in the celebrations.
In Mawkyrwat, people from all walks of life gathered at the Maharam Government Secondary School play ground to participate in the Independence Day celebrations as GAD Minister HDR Lyngdoh unfurled the tricolour to the tune of the National Anthem.
Deputy Commissioner, South West Khasi Hills District, A Mawlong, Superintendent of Police D Sangma and a host of officers were also present on the occasion.
24 parade contingents comprising of police personnel, scouts and guides and school students performed an impressive march past to the delight of the crowd.
Speaking on the occasion, Lyngdoh said that on this day the state remembered the sacrifices of the freedom fighters like U Tirot Sing Syiem, U Kiang Nongbah and Patogan N Sangma, who fought for the motherland.
The Minister also said that the Government has been trying to implement various developmental schemes in all sectors for the benefit of the people.
With regard to influx, Lyngdoh said that the Government had constituted the District Task Force in all the Districts to look into the matter and the Directorate of Infiltration had also been created together with others agencies for taking necessary steps to check influx of illegal migrants in the State.
Various cultural programmes along with games for children were also organised on the occasion. Food items were distributed to patients of CHC Mawkyrwat and the orphans of Hope Orphanage.
Meanwhile, the Office of the Block Development Officer, Ranikor under South West Khasi Hills District along with the Khasi Garo Hajong Women’s Organization (KGHWO) celebrated the country’s 67th Independence Day at Ranikor
BDO, Raja Brahma unfurled the national flag in the presence of a sizeable number of people who had gathered on the occasion.
Speaking on the occasion, the BDO highlighted the developmental works undertaken by the Block Development Office, Ranikor in collaboration with the district administration of South West Khasi Hills.
He also urged upon the people to be the partner in the developmental activities.
Welcoming the government Officials, NGOs, students and the public, the Myntri of Ranikor, Kwinton Mawlein expressed happiness to be part of the Independence Day celebrations which is the first of its kind held in the Ranikor Block.
Various events like mini-marathon for boys and girls, tug of war, women’s football match, musical chair etc. was organised on the occasion. The special attraction, however, was the football match Block officials and the Ranikor football team. The match ended 3-2 in favour of the Ranikor football team.