SHILLONG: Meekly succumbing to the demand from pressure groups and UDP members including the party president Donkupar Roy, who were opposing the voters’ enrolment drive at Sohra, the State Government has transferred the Sub- Divisional Officer (Civil), Sohra Sub-Division, Ghanshyam Dass.
The pressure groups held a meeting attended by the UDP legislators and MDCs from Shella and Sohra on Wednesday at Sohra and demanded the removal of the SDO in protest against the manner in which the enrolment drive was carried out.
A government notification issued on Wednesday informed that the SDO has been released on Wednesday from Meghalaya segment to enable him to join Assam segment of the joint cadre with effect from the date of handing over charge.
The Government has directed Nipon Hajong, Extra Assistant Commissioner, to look after the charge of SDO (Civil) Sohra.
Surprisingly, the government notification claims that Dass had been released after the Government of Assam conveyed its willingness to have the officer in the Assam segment in its letter dated March 31.
Earlier, following the disruption of the enrolment drive, the SDO had lodged a complaint at Sohra PS that on April 20 at around 11.35 am, unidentified miscreants (numbering 30-40) with video cameras created nuisance and chased away the people of Ichamati and Shella who were in the SDO (Civil) Office, Sohra to register themselves in the electoral rolls.
The Joint Action Committee (JAC) of the pressure groups including KSU, FKJGP and Seng Samla Shnong Sohra had given the State Government a week’s deadline to remove the SDO of Sohra.
The JAC took this decision during the public meeting held at Sohra on Wednesday.
Interestingly, the public meeting was also attended by Shella legislator Donkupar Roy, Sohra legislator Titosstarwell Chyne, Shella MDC Teinwell Dkhar and Sohra MDC Donevan Kharwanlang.
While speaking at the meeting, Roy said the people of Sohra need an officer who understands the sentiments of the people.
“May be this officer is too young and is yet to receive proper training to head as an SDO. I have already spoken to the Chief Secretary PBO Warjri to transfer the officer,” he said.
KSU president Daniel Khyriem said that the NGOs were given an assurance by the Government that hearing and verification of new voters would be held at the village level to be assisted by the Dorbar Shnong.
“But it seems this SDO has ignored the government directive and violated its order,” the KSU president said.
FKJGP president Joe Marwein said that the enrolment of new voters in the State should be for those who have just attained the age of 18.
“Surprisingly, a large number of applicants were people who are above 50. Where have these aged people come from and why should they stand in the queue only now to get their names included in the State’s electoral roll?” Marwein questioned.
