Residential school row: Pressure groups garner vilagers’ support

JOWAI: Jaintia Hills-based pressure groups–Jaintia Students’ Movement (JSM), Hynniewtrep National Youth Front (HNYF) and the Hynniewtrep Achik National Movement-received the backing of village leaders and hundreds of residents in their opposition to the proposed setting up of a residential school at Byndihati village in East Jaintia Hills.
During a public meeting held at Rangad on Saturday, representatives and residents from 21 villages of East Jaintia Hills extended their support to the pressure groups’ opposition.
Earlier, the Jaintia Dorbar, the Hynniew Shnong Welfare Organisation, the San-shnong Welfare Association and the Khyndai Shnong Welfare Organisation in East Jaintia Hills also extended their support to the pressure groups.
According to JSM general secretary, Lening Rymbai, Bynihati village, which is merely a couple of kilometers from district headquarter, Khliehriat, is not the ideal location for setting up of the residential school for it would not serve the interest of the rural populace.
In Saturday’s public meeting, it was also decided that a delegation would meet the Education Minister in this regard even as a memorandum would be sent to the Chief Minister.