By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, July 30: The Khasi Students’ Union (KSU) units of Sawsymper Circle, Balat Border Area Circle, and Lawbah Border Area Circle on Tuesday announced that they will hold a hunger strike on August 10 at Mawsynram to condemn the state government’s failure in responding to their demand to upgrade Mawsynram C&RD Block to a Civil Sub-Division.
General secretary of KSU South West Khasi Hills Jiedskhem Nongsiej emphasised that the demand to upgrade Mawsynram C&RD Block to a Civil Sub-Division has been a long-standing request from both pressure groups and local residents since 2018.
“Mawsynram C&RD is one of the oldest blocks in the state, and upgrading it to a Civil Sub-Division is totally justified,” Nongsiej stated. He pointed out that the block covers an area of 5,000 sq km, encompassing 162 villages with a population exceeding 44,000.
Nongsiej highlighted the difficulties residents face, particularly the arduous travel to Shillong for minor official work, which is exacerbated by poor road conditions.
The KSU units had previously submitted a petition to Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma in 2018, but they have yet to receive a response.
“We will intensify our protest if there is no response from the government,” Nongsiej warned, indicating the KSU’s readiness to escalate their actions to ensure their demands are met.