By Lamphrang Nongspung
MYLLIEM, Feb 22: As in most parts of the state, Mylliem constituency too has not experienced ease of living for the common man.
Things have not changed much during the past 50 years, no matter who was sent to the assembly.
A majority of the villages and localities in this constituency have been condemned to their destiny when it comes to facing chronic water scarcity, lack of job opportunities, high dropout rates among students and alarming rise in drug addiction among the youths.
To add to the woes, the residents are made to suffer ever burgeoning traffic snarl due to the tardy pace of work on the four-lane stretch from Umshyrpi to Baniuñ Mylliem.
The voters are hoping that the new MLA and the new government will address the problems on a war footing.
All the seven candidates, who have joined the fray, consider themselves fit to do better than the rivals.
The candidates locking horns are outgoing MLA Hamletson Dohling of NPP, Ronnie V. Lyngdoh of Congress, Mitchell Wankhar of UDP, Gilbert Laloo of TMC, Samuel Hashah of BJP, Aibandaplin F. Lyngdoh of VPP and former MLA Pynshai Manik Syiem, an independent.
Most voters, who this reporter spoke to, are of the view that the contest is expected to be bipolar between Congress and NPP. Some political analysts say Wankhar and Laloo may play spoilsport which could work to Dohling’s disadvantage. Dohling’s decision to switch over from PDF to NPP has not proved beneficial.
Most of his rivals are hitting him where is hurts the most. His rivals have exploited the perception that the NPP is an ally of the BJP, which is behind attacks on churches and Christians across the country.
Former cabinet minister Syiem, a political veteran, is believed to have done his chances harm by popping out after staying away from the people for 10 years. His defeat in 2008 was largely attributed to his decision to join the NCP.
Locals, however, are more interested in the issues that touch the common people.
“Traffic jams due to the delay in the four-lane project are severely affecting lives. The problem will worsen when the schools reopen,” Kitboklang Nongphlang, a youth activist from Mawklot said.
The new MLA should focus on getting the four-lane work done fast besides ensuring employment avenues for the youths, he added.
“The Pomlum PHC also needs to be upgraded to a CHC to cater for the villages of the Mylliem area,” he said.
Endra Kharkongor, an elderly resident of Umlyngka underlined water scarcity as the biggest issue in the area. Many people are using up much of their resources on buying water, he said.
“Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma recently inaugurated the augmented water supply scheme for Umlyngka and Nongkseh. We hope the scheme works,” he said, also flagging the increasing cases of school dropout among children of BPL families in the constituency.
Doreen Kharshiing, a local schoolteacher, lamented that no candidate has been talking about early pregnancy among young girls.
“As single mothers, many young girls are facing hardships in taking care of their children. Our new representative needs to think seriously about their rehabilitation with sustainable jobs,” she said.
She also said a skill development centre can help such single mothers besides rehabilitating reformed drug addicts and alcoholics of the constituency. The new MLA should also consider building indoor stadiums and community halls for the youth to spend quality time and stay away from intoxicants.
Biolinda Majaw, an elderly resident of Nongkseh, said it does not matter who wins the Mylliem seat as long as the candidate ensures a decent livelihood for the locals. “But the poor are getting poorer and the rich richer,” she said.
Ialam Kurkalang of Mylliem said the new government should focus on improving the quality of education, especially in the rural areas so that people are saved the trouble of spending a fortune on their children to pursue studies in Shillong or cities beyond Meghalaya.
Candidates speak
The NPP’s Dohling told The Shillong Times that he tried his best as an MLA to develop the infrastructure across the constituency in the last five years. He also claimed he tried to reach out to the farmers, improve healthcare by upgrading the health centres and promote sports.
“I want Mylliem to have a college and become an IT hub toward employment generation,” he said, adding that he was inspired by the employment of 700 youth at the IT Park in the New Shillong Township.
Ronnie Lyngdoh hoped the people would opt for Congress for promising a corruption-free, transparent and accountable government, particularly after enduring the “misgovernance” of the coalition government headed by the NPP.
“The youth are frustrated due to the corrupt system and they know they can get a job only if they are able to bribe. They believe Congress can change this culture,” he said.
Call these election rhetoric or empty words, unless the chosen one on March 2 takes his mandate to alleviate the lack of ease of living in Mylliem constituency.