From Biplab Kr Dey
WILLIAMNAGAR, July 6: In a damning depiction of the poor condition of Meghalaya’s education sector, residents of Nengkhra Agalgre and its adjoining areas revealed how heartbreaking the situation was for their wards as well as themselves as they contended with the forces of nature and the lack of a bridge across the Rongtam River.
Nengkhra falls about 14 km from the district headquarter of Williamnagar in East Garo Hills and has a population of over 3,560, with neighbouring Dobu adding to the numbers.
A recent video of children crossing the Rongtam river went viral and caused a huge furore as residents questioned the state and district administration for putting the lives of young children at risk. The children were seen crossing the river with nothing on them and protecting their clothes and school bag above their heads.
They were dragged by the river current and it was actually a miracle that they survived.
“What can be said about the condition of our people here? Our hearts go out to students, who on a daily basis risk their lives in the quest for an education. It’s not only education but daily livelihoods that are affected by the river during the monsoon. Water reaches above head high and becomes impossible to cross, especially due to the strong current,” said GSU president, Ringrang Sangma of Nengkhra.
The river itself is of small proportions, stretching about 20 metres across. However, during rains, it stretches to over 60 metres, carrying currents that would sweep most things away. The stony river bed makes it even more dangerous for children to cross.
There are at least 9 schools between the two river banks with students from banks going to the other side to pursue their education. Mt Sinai is the most popular with residents from villages of nearby Dobu using the MGNREGA route through Nengkhra Agalgre, crossing the same route, through the same river to get to school.
The RMSA HS School is another popular destination and sees a similar kind of traffic. Other schools include 2 government LP Schools, ad-hoc as well private schools with similar situations being faced by everyone.
“The bridge is an absolute necessity – even a suspension bridge would work. The river becomes extremely dangerous to cross even for grown men to cross during the monsoon. We have made numerous appeals to various authorities, including Chief Minister, Conrad Sangma, the local MLA, the PWD and the district administration but all of that has been in vain,” added Ringrang.
As per locals, there are at least 100 households that live across the river with the rest living near the highway and beyond. However, the population interacts with each other on a daily basis when possible.
“Those residents that live across the river are the ones that face the greatest threat from the rover when it is in spate. There have been cases of people going hungry due to the river not allowing them to cross. Economic activities also come to a complete stop when the river is in spate. Children have had to miss exams every year due to the lack of a bridge,” added the village sordar, Joreng Sangma.
The villagers recalled two instances which highlighted how dangerous the river got at times.
In the first instance, a fully grown man was swept by the river while he was trying to cross it in the year 2024. He was only able to save himself by hanging on to some debris that the river carried but was found more than a km away, with nothing on him but his undergarments.
The second case was even more tragic and led to the death of a two-year-old. This case also took place in 2024 when a mother, carrying the baby on her back, attempted to cross the river while it was in spate. The current dragged her and her child before loosening the cloth that carried her child leading to the child being swept away. The remains were found two days later.
“This is a daily situation faced by us during the monsoon. We carry our lives in our hands when the river is full. The currents are extremely dangerous but what can we do? Our children deserve an education so we have to take a chance. Further, can we and our children live on empty stomachs,” asked the village sordar.
Interestingly, a report on the same matter was done by The Shillong Times in 2024 after a visit to the same village. After the report, there was curiosity with even a promise by the department to visit the site. However, the situation has reverted to what it was earlier with villagers expressing their disappointment.
“This is a life and death matter and I am sure it is also a responsibility of the state to protect its citizens. We are being into an abyss that looks deeper than the deepest hole with no end in sight. We don’t ask for much – just connectivity. There are enough residents in the area for the demand for a bridge to be authentic. We appeal to those at the helm of affairs to look into our matter and solve the crisis we face,” added Joreng Sangma.
The GSU members added that a memo had been submitted to the CM as early as Feb this year, through the DC while AHAM had earlier approached the local MLA on the same matter.
When contacted on the issue, the EE of PWD – EGH confirmed the memos being received though he stated that the matter needed to be looked into. He also informed that a team, along with an engineer, would visit to look into the feasibility of a bridge across Rongtam.
“We are completely in nature’s hands many times in the year but sincerely hope that for the sake of our children that the government looks into our request before we lose more people in such horrific accidents. This really is a nightmare waiting to happen,” felt a villager.
For more than 4000 people residing in Nengkhra, the dance with death for their children as well as adults will continue until some form of intervention is made – even if it is a small one.
