By Daiaphira Kharsati
SHILLONG: With one day left for the elections, the voters are ready to get their fingers inked. However, they have a lot of expectations from their legislators so far as addressing their grievances are concerned. The Shillong Times spoke to residents of the urban constituencies of Pynthorumkhrah, West Shillong, South Shillong, North Shillong, East Shillong, Nongthymmai and Mawlai to come to grips with the pressing issues uppermost in the minds of the electorate.
Pynthorumkhrah constituency
John Tham, a young resident of Mawpun, Golflinks said road connectivity to Mawpat is not good, apart from insufficient water supply and poor quality of drinking water. He blamed the problem on unrepaired pipes. Also, there are no recreation centres for the youth and children, he rued.
“There are slums but those are not regulated. There is a fear of influx but the government should implement certain regulatory measures. The people who settle down here should show genuine proof of their identity,” he said. Two aged women, 77-year-old Victoria Susngi from Mawpat and 67-year-old Pristina Kharkongor, said there has been no perceptible development in the constituency.
Susngi spoke about the prevailing water crisis as the people have to buy water from vehicles that sell water.
Anti-social elements create disturbance, she said, adding that the increased drug abuse in pockets of the constituency is cause for serious concern.
West Shillong constituency
Nathan from Mawprem said, “The main problem in our constituency is unemployment leading to use, buying and selling of drugs which is rampant.”
He added, “Every election campaign leaves behind in its trail garbage, plastic bottles, polythene bags, liquor bottles and what not. Political parties litter the place whereas they are expected to lead by example.”
Headman of Mawbah David Syiemlieh said, “There is no community hall in the constituency. The roads are crammed with pedestrians and vehicles and need to be widened. The issue of garbage disposal needs to be addressed. Also, the level of education is poor. There are many dropouts in the constituency. However, there are no slums.”
North Shillong constituency
A non-tribal resident of Jail Road said, “The main problems are water crisis and sanitation. The pipes are all broken and the drains overflow.”
“There is no proper drainage system which gets worse during monsoon as the roads get flooded. There is no parking space and roads are congested all the time. The constructions have not taken place in a planned manner,” rued a shopkeeper. Another resident of Mawkhar I Rynjah, a teacher by profession, said that there was enough water and electricity but the problem is solid waste.
“However, Bara Bazaar and even Police Bazaar need attention as there is barely space to walk and the issues of the hawkers need to be addressed. Again, there are lots of potholes on the roads. Environmental issues also need to be addressed,” she said.
On the other hand, she said teachers need to get their due and expressed concern that the state has not come up with an education policy yet.
South Shillong constituency
A schoolteacher by profession Jecinta Lyngdoh Mawlong from Lumparing, aged 25, said, “Despite all the promises in the manifestos of political parties, I want the candidates to look into issues like unemployment, the 6th Schedule, MUDA by-laws and ILP.”
“I want our leaders to be approachable, always available and take up issues in the Assembly: issues like reservation in employment organisations for Khasis,” she added.
Another resident, who wished to identify herself as Duh and who owns a shop in Laban, said, “Lack of cleanliness is a major irritant. There is a dearth of dustbins, total lack of sanitation and the roads have several potholes.”
A customer at her shop opined, “The filth all around the area has become an eyesore. People dump garbage all over the place. There is also shortage of clean water in the area.”
Mawlai constituency
A resident of Mawlai said traffic snarls are a major issue that has to be solved as trucks also ply via the FCI route.
“Certain pockets in the constituency suffer from water crisis and are in need of connectivity. Many areas bordering Ri-Bhoi or those beyond Mawsiatkhnam are in dire need of attention,” he said. “Another major problem is the rise in drug addiction and drug peddling which is the direct result of lack of education and unemployment,” he said.
A young male voter echoed similar views saying traffic chaos in Mawlai is a big irritant, although transportation in the constituency is good overall.
East Shillong constituency
A young voter named Jeff said, “In Laitumkhrah, there is no taxi stand as the old taxi stand has been removed from the police point. All the vehicles are overcrowded and people hardly follow the zebra crossing which leads to traffic snarls. The authorities should not have removed all the dustbins. Though the trucks pick up garbage yet what about people who leave home early and come back late?”
“I also feel sorry for the vendors as they lack an alternate means of employment. But they are culpable of obstructing key stretches. There are also many wine shops in the area, although there is no playground for children. Again house rent in Laitumkhrah is high,” he added.
Senti Ao, another resident, said there is a need to create more employment avenues in the state and the sufferings of the poor need to be addressed.
Nongthymmai constituency
R Nongrum, a resident of Nongrah, said the only issue plaguing his constituency is water shortage. “There was much vandalism centering on the borewell but till date no one has been arrested. Schoolchildren have to wait in a long queue to fetch water,” he said.
Another resident of Nongthymmai who did not wish to be named pointed to the acute water crisis, adding that there is no proper drainage system in the area.
“As for the means of transportation, there is no government bus running through the Nongrim Hills. Also, there is no pharmacy. And there is only one ATM machine in the entire area,” she added.
(Some names have been changed)
(With inputs from
Jasmine Laldinpuii)