SHILLONG, Feb 8: Cabinet Minister Kyrmen Shylla on Wednesday exuded confidence that he would be able to fight against money and muscle power in Khliehriat by resorting to truth and secure the mandate of the people.
Shylla, whose nomination was successfully scrutinised on Wednesday, was joined by a massive crowd of his supporters in Khliehriat.
Shylla said that the huge crowd only shows that his hard work has not gone in vain and people still love him.
It may be mentioned that Shylla is re-seeking people’s mandate from the coal-rich constituency. He, however, said that his focus is now on developing road connectivity in the Constituency as there are several tourist spots and if roads can be improved, the entire tourist circuit will be developed and people will have a livelihood.
“We had sent a proposal for developing 20 km of road but it was not approved. If I am elected, I will pursue the matter again,” he said.
The statement came from Shylla as the livelihood of the people in the area was largely dependent on coal but the NGT in 2014 imposed a ban on rat-hole coal mining.
Admitting that the coal mining is the livelihood of people, he said that the people in the area tired to earn whenever they availed challan, but its availability right now is limited.
“We want to give challans to those who have their own mines,” he said.
Acknowledging that that the NGT is doing its own part, Shylla said that the tribunal needs to think about the livelihood of the people as well as the environment. He emphasised that there must be a balance to ensure people have a way to earn a living and ensure that the environment is unharmed.
Meanwhile, Shylla said that UDP is trying to win more than three seats in Jaintia Hills region this time.
