MAWKYRWAT: Mawkyrwat MLA Renikton L Tongkhar has asked people “not to play politics for the sake of development”.
Addressing a gathering at Mawranglang in South West Khasi Hills after inaugurating the Wah Rilang View Point on Thursday, Tongkhar said, “We need to educate ourselves that we should not play politics for the rest of life. This is very wrong and I am sorry to say that I have found that people in many villages were playing politics. They were afraid to lend support because somebody does not belong from their party… We should look forward to contributing towards the betterment of all.”
The MLA was referring to several projects at the village level which were delayed owing to dispute, especially over land, among stakeholders.
Tongkhar said South West Khasi Hills district has great potential in tourism but needs better roads.
The MLA who wants to introduce cable car service across the Rilang river, said tourism now has emerged as one of the alternatives for livelihood. “Imagine how many youths will be getting jobs through tourism,” he said as he assured that he will try his best to work with the government to improve tourism so that more tourist spots are inaugurated.
However, Tongkhar called upon the local people, especially the youths to have a sense of hospitality towards the tourists.
“It will be unfortunate if someone is assaulted in our area, it will also send a wrong message. I understand the love for our own land and the ‘jaitbynriew’ and I have the same spirit as well. I fully support the students and other NGOs who demand from the government to implement the laws (to prevent against influx) and we expect the youths to be patient with the government to bring and implement the law. Laws should not be taken into one’s own hands,” he said.
Meanwhile, Deputy Commissioner Isawanda Laloo requested locals to make the viewpoint one of the best and take the responsibility to keep the place clean, avoid burning of forest, irresponsible stone quarrying, cutting of trees and make the place ‘a no plastic zone’.
The viewpoint is open to the public and the Mawranglang Village Tourism Society has started collection through entry tickets. The view point is one of the projects of the District Rural Development Agency with the joint efforts of various departments.
