MAWKYRWAT, June 13: Residents of Mawmahwar area have been putting their lives at stake in the wake of the Meghalaya government’s apathy as there have been no measures taken to repair or construct a new footbridge over Snai Bai river in East Khasi Hills bordering South West Khasi Hills.
The footbridge was damaged recently and people have been treading on it as it hangs precariously over a swollen Snai Bai river.
In a video, as many as eight boys were seen crossing the damaged bridge while some part of it was still submerged in the swollen river.
These students are from Mawmahwar, Sohphoh and Dewsaw village in East Khasi Hills.
According to sources, these boys crossed the river to appear for their half-yearly examinations in schools located at Pongkung, East Khasi Hills, and in Mawkyrwat, South West Khasi Hills.
However, the girl students reportedly missed their exams since they could not cross the river through the damaged bridge.
This tells that the boys were forced to risk their lives just for education.
Apart from students, residents of Mawmahwar, Dewsaw and Sohphoh villages have to cross the river daily in the absence of an alternative route, as per sources.
The situation becomes intense in times of medical emergencies, but people do not have an option that they can exercise.
In view of this crisis, the Khasi Student’s Union (KSU) South West Khasi Hills District conducted an inspection of the bridge after it was damaged by floods on May 13.
The union has expressed concern over the apathy of the state government.
“This video shows that the students have risked their lives for their better future, but this government did nothing to help and save them. It is very unfortunate that every successive government had done nothing until something bad happened like the recent incident at Mawkohphet village. There, a little girl lost her hands because of the irresponsibility of the MeECL which set up the transformer near the playground without fencing,” the KSU said.
