Rapsang breaks silence on recent assault cases

SHILLONG, Sep 22: Perturbed over the recent assault cases under his constituency, West Shillong MLA Mohendro Rapsang has blamed the inadequate presence of streetlights for such happenings.
Speaking to the media persons here, the MLA argued that the dearth of adequate streetlights in select parts of the city has encouraged anti-social elements, especially under his constituency.
Casting aspersions on the state government over lack of basic amenities, Rapsang drew a contrast between Guwahati and Shillong.
While Guwahati is well illuminated at night with planned street lighting system, Shillong, the capital of Meghalaya, gets dark at night due to the lack of proper street lighting, the MLA said.
Lamenting that Shillong is also reeling under lack of proper water supply facility, Rapsang said despite the “big talks” by the PHE Minister during the recent Assembly session, major parts of Shillong continue to be afflicted with water crisis.
“The Minister, on the floor of the House, recently informed that the department is currently supplying 9.20 million gallons per day but we fail to understand why many areas of Shillong, including many in my constituency, are faced with water crisis,” the MLA said, alleging that people are coerced into purchasing a basic amenity like water.
Echoing similar sentiments, Rangbah Shnong of Lower Mawprem, W Pyrbot, alleged that they were receiving water once a day and not twice, which, he said, is not the normal.
Reacting to the poor street lighting, he said that almost 90-95 per cent of the street lights in the area are non-functional. He also alleged that repeated requests to the government for its redressal have fallen on deaf ears.
“Street lights should be repaired immediately so as to give a sense of safety in the area,” the Rangbah Shnong said.
On the other hand, Rangbah Shnong of Lumdiengjri informed that while the water issue has been resolved in the area, the problem of poor street lighting continues to plague the locals.
He also argued that since people pay for civic amenities, the government is duty-bound to ensure that citizens are not deprived of any public facility.