MAWKYRWAT: The cry for creating a new community and rural development (C&RD) block in South West Khasi Hills grew louder with another group, the Synjuk ki Seng Samla Shnong (SSSS), demanding that Warsan Lyngdoh or Umdohlun-Wahkaji should be chosen for the same.
In a memorandum to Chief Minister Mukul Sangma during the inauguration of the administrative unit in Ranikor, the Synjuk’s South West Khasi Hills chairman Wallambok Syiemiong said, “Warsan Lyngdoh area consists of more than 40 villages. Most of the people here are below poverty line. They only depend on jhum cultivation which in turn has affected the environment.”
The population of the area is approximately 4,000.
Syiemiong also pointed out that lack of transport in this part makes it difficult for locals to travel to Nongstoin, Mawkyrwat or Ranikor for official work.
“This area is also being neglected by the Government for many years. So creation of the new C&RD Block in such a remote location will bring people closer to good governance and initiate all-round development,” he added.
The South West Khasi Hills unit of the Khasi Students Union on Thursday a protested at Ranikor market demanding Ranikor civil sub-division and creation of a new C&RD Block for Wahkaji-Umdohlun area.
The union on Friday criticised the government for not paying heed to its demands to upgrade the Ranikor C&RD Block to a civil sub-division and create a new C&RD block.
The union said setting up of the administrative unit in Ranikor as an “insult” to the people of the district.
“We are not against development in the district but we need the Civil Sub-Division and a C&RD block. The inauguration of the administrative unit at Ranikor by Mukul Sangma was an insult to the people of the district who need rice for living but instead were giving only sweets by the government,” KSU South West Khasi Hills unit President Forwardman Nongrem said.
Nongrem said the Union was surprised because every time they meet Sangma he always mentions that he feels pity for the people of Wahkaji and Umdohlun areas but now he forgot to give C&RD block even though it is the most deserving area. “We will not interfere in the functioning of the unit but we will continue to demand for the civil sub-division and C&RD block in the district. However, we strongly condemn the doubled standards of the state government. If other C&RD block can be upgraded directly to civil sub-division, why not Ranikor Block,” he added.
