SHILLONG: Three pressure groups from Maweit areas in West Khasi Hills District – Nongtre Lyngngam Achik Youth Federation, FKJGP Maweit Circle and Western Youth Welfare Council – have decided to boycott the April 9 Lok Sabha elections in the State.
The announcement of the election boycott is in protest against the State Government’s failure to improve the road connectivity between the village and the district headquarters of Nongstoin, a distance of only 35 km.
“We request the people of the areas within Maweit not to vote on April 9,” the three pressure groups said in a statement issued here on Sunday.
The pressure groups also took exception to the order of the West Khasi Hills Election officer announcing one year jail term for anyone who attempts to disrupt the poll process.
“We are not afraid of being arrested. We feel that one year in jail is better compared to 43 years of step-motherly treatment by the State Government,” the pressure groups said.
It may be mentioned that that Shyrkon polling station under Maweit within Nongstoin constituency had recorded voters’ turnout of less than 2 per cent with only seven voters casting their votes out of a total of 355 people enlisted in the electoral rolls, during the February 24 district councils polls.