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MAWKYRWAT: Ban on coal mining, unrest over uranium drilling, dilapidated roads and under-developed tourism sector are some of the numerous problems which the two Assembly segments of South West Khasi Hills — Mawkyrwat and Ranikor — face.
As the countdown for the Lok Sabha elections begins, The Shillong Times visits the two constituencies to speak to a cross-section of people about the problems and their expectations from the MPs.
Laridakerlin Nongsiej Advocate, Mawkyrwat
My leader should be someone who can impartially serve the indigenous community of the state. This becomes important in the wake of the BJP government at the Centre pushing for the Citizenship Amendment Bill.
I want an elected candidate to firmly stand against uranium mining and drilling activities, a problem that remains unresolved for several years now. Whoever wins should ensure genuine developmental activities for the people and not for facilitating uranium drilling or mining.
The major problems in the district are the adverse impact of the ban on coal mining on people’s livelihood, dilapidated roads and poor education system.
I do not think the ban on coal mining and tourism as an alternative are two sides of the same coin. I would like to see the state government and an elected MP to consider it as a top priority because it was a major source of income for many. The ban was a major setback for the state’s economy.
I understand that impact of mining on environment should be considered but mining ban is not the only solution to safeguarding Mother Earth. Therefore, I personally feel that an elected representative should push the government to frame a mining policy in accordance with the Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA) guidelines to address the issues of livelihood and environment.
Tourism on the other hand, requires an immediate attention from the government so as to boost the economy of the state and income of rural households. Many places here have tourism potential and, if promoted well, can become major tourist sites.
But it depends on a responsible representative who has the courage to not only speak on these issues but act too. The leader should bring in central funds meant for promoting tourism. We have everything, all we need is an intelligent representative.
John D Sangma
Khasiadop village near Ranikor
Lack of medical care facilities, poor education system, lack of road connectivity, border dispute, unemployment are the main problems in Ranikor.
I hope this time people elect an MP who can and will address the problems.
Coal was a major source of earning and the economy suffered after the ban. Tourism is an alternative but roads and other facilities should also be improved.
Bahaman Lyngkhoi Wahsiej village in Mawkyrwat
As an elector, I would expect my MP to bring development in the state, especially rural areas. The leader should raise pertinent issues in Parliament. He should also be able to defend Jaitbynriew from any policy that is against our people.
Poverty, which is the result of unemployment, farmers’ plight, poor healthcare and road sector are the major problems in Mawkyrwat area.
(Lyngkhoi too agreed that the NGT ban was a jolt to the local as well as state economy). Before the ban, people were not interested in farming. Now they are. Tourism cannot be an alternative. It can provide income to many people but those residing near tourist sites.
In my opinion, by working together with the state government, the MP can play an important role in finding solutions to unemployment problem, road connectivity, water supply and especially to improve healthcare.
SL Sangriang
Mawthawpdah village
We expect that the MP will be able to bring development on all fronts like education, health, water supply, road connectivity and other issues. The long pending border dispute between Meghalaya and Assam is one of the main agenda in every election and therefore the MP is expected to do something or find solution to these problems because our people in border areas have suffered so much due to lack of development.
In my opinion, the major problems which people in our areas are facing are unemployment, poor road connectivity, lack of higher education and skills development training centres. Students here have to walk for hours to reach school in Mawkyrwat (18km).
People here still suffer owing to the coal ban because every household had coal ban because every household had one or two members engaged in coal mining. Tourism can be an alternative as it can provide employment to many people but many issues have to be addressed.
P Syiemlieh
Mawthong village
There is a lot of expectation from the MP. He can play an important role in bringing medical college, engineering college and many other projects. He is also expected to protect the interest of the state and the community in particular by actively participating in Parliament.
Coal mining ban has led to reduction in income. Also, low price of agricultural produce, absence of market, poor road condition, lack of water supply and lack of facilities at health centres are other problems.
Tourism is one of the major sectors that can provide jobs to local youths. South West Khasi Hills has a big potential in tourism but we urgently need the two-lane road from Mawphlang-Weiloi-Mawkyrwat-Nongnah-Ranikor to realise the benefits of tourism. Look at Sohra and Mawlynnong, tourists visit these places every day. We also have beautiful places here in our district, but people do not want to come because of bad road conditions.