NONGPOH, Aug 25: The Synjuk Ki Rangbah Shnong (SKRS), a conglomeration of headmen from Ri-Bhoi District along with leaders of four prominent pressure groups of the district on Thursday formed a joint action committee against casino (JACAC) with the single agenda of opposing the move of the state government to establish a casino in the district.
The JACAC was formed during a meeting convened by the SKRS at Pahamsyiem community hall which was attended by leaders of the Khasi Students’ Union North Khasi Hills Unit, the Federation of Khasi Jaintia & Garo People, Hynniewtrep National Youth Front and Ri-Bhoi Youth Federation.
SKRS president Banbuhai Makdoh was unanimously elected chairman of the JACAC while KSU NKHD president Ferdynald Kharkamni was elected secretary.
Speaking to media persons after the meeting, Kharkamni said Ri-Bhoi is one of the aspirational districts and the government should have focused on bringing state-of-the-art training centres for the benefit of the educated and unemployed youths for skill development and job opportunities instead of the casino.
The youth of the district do not need casinos but government colleges, schools and other development programmes, he said, adding that the number of drug addicts in the district is on the rise and the government should create recreational or rehabilitation centres for them.
Kharkamni informed that the JACAC will meet Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma and submit a memorandum demanding scrapping of the gambling project.
The JACAC will also organise rallies in various parts of the district to seek public support in their fight against the government’s casino plan.
