SHILLONG: The 70 Hynniewtrep Youth Council (HYC) members of Nongstoin Circle who undertook the 93-km protest march arrive in Shillong on Thursday afternoon to press for implementation of their demands including rapid development of West Khasi Hills district areas, enforcement of ILP etc.
The HYC members gathered at Additional Secretariat parking lot while their leaders from Nongstoin circle went to the Secretariat to hand over a memorandum to the personal assistant of the Chief Minister Mukul Sangma.
Speaking to media persons, HYC president, Nongstoin Circle, Lumlang Kharsyntiew pointed out to the under-development of Nongstoin despite 41 years of its existence as a district headquarter.
Pointing to the poor road connectivity, he said, “There should be a proper road connectivity between Nongstoin and Mawkyrwat and same should be designated as highway. There should also be a two-lane road from Sohpian to Nongstoin from the existing Nongstoin-Tura National Highway.”
Turning to the education sector, he said, “A government college must be set up at the earliest to cater to the need of youth of the district who are aspiring for higher education.”
Recalling the contributions by former Nongstoin MLA, Late Hopingstone Lyngdoh, he said that the government college must be named after him to keep his legacy alive for the progeny.
The memorandum submitted to the Chief Minister also mentioned about the facilitation of agriculture, sports infrastructure, health care services for the people of the district.
The HYC members went on to claim in the memorandum that a lot of departments of the government in the district were functioning from rented houses of private individuals which is not just a matter shame for the government but also a reflection of the casual attitude of the government and step-motherly treatment meted out to West Khasi Hills district.
They informed that the department which has no permanent office building of their own in the district included the Tax department, Office of the CDPO, ICDS-Nongstoin, office of the DIPR, Labour department, district library, and the ITI.
Demanding that the district jail at Nongstoin should be completed at the earliest, the HYC members called for construction for a public auditorium for hosting/holding of various events.
Kharsyiemlieh claimed that the state government had apathetic to their demands though they had been sending reminders to the Chief Minister time and again.
“If the state government remains silent and indifferent to our demands and democratic protests, we are prepared to resort to other means,” he added.
On the other hand, Kharsyiemlieh said, “We also demand that the state government should resolve the boundary issues as there are disputes arising along the border.”
Commenting on the contentious issue of mining, he said, “Where will our indigenous labourers go if mining operations are handed over to a private company? We demand that the state government should come up with a mining policy,” he added.
The HYC Nongstoin circle also gave their support to Save Hynniewtrep Mission launched by the central body of the HYC recently.
It may be reminded that the HYC Nongstoin members started the protest march at Nongstoin on August 22 at around 8: 30 A.M. and on Thursday they set out from Mawngap at 6: 30 AM and reached Shillong at around 12:30 P.M.
Member falls sick
One of the members of HYC Nongstoin Circle, Oliver Twist Marngar from Nongdiwah fell ill and was admitted at Civil Hospital, Shillong on Thursday.