JOWAI: The Sein Raij Jowai, the organizing body of the State annual Behdeinkhlam Festival has failed to clean up wastes from Iawmusiang market which has been lying unattended in the main road making passersby nauseous from stench and filth.
In preparation for the festival, the Sein Raij had earlier organised several cleanliness drives including white washing and painting of walls throughout the town but the authorities unfortunately failed to clear heaps of garbage from the market.
‘Local people aside, what will tourists and visitors think of the District Administration when the town look so untidy”, said one Das from Assam who is working here in Jaintia Hills. Das has brought his family along to witness the festival.
When contacted, both the Sein Raij president and the CEO of Jowai Municipal Board were unreachable. “The DC himself has been inactive, what do we expect from him”, one of the Sein Raij elders said.
Besides this, the footpath in Jowai is occupied by vendors and the District Administration has failed to check such activities. “Is this what the footpath is meant for?” a passerby said.