TURA: Livid over the pathetic road condition in the district, several organisations have jointly called for a two-day dawn to dusk ‘Non-Cooperation Movement’ protest in South Garo Hills on September 11 and 12.
These organisations, Garoland State Movement Committee (GSMC), GSU, Mothers’ Union, A’chik Students Welfare Association and others announced that they would protest against the lack of repair of the crucial national highway that connects district headquarters Baghmara with the rest of the state.
“People from South Garo Hills are forced to call for a non-cooperation movement because the state government has turned a deaf ear to our plight. We have been seeking better road communication for the past five years but nothing has changed. We are compelled to call for non-cooperation in South Garo Hills on September 11 and 12 from 5 am to 5 pm,” said Dilseng R Marak, publicity secretary of GSMC which is part of the agitating groups.
Members of these organisations point out that the only lifeline for the people of the district is through road connectivity. The deplorable condition of the roads has led to a halt in developmental activities and people are having a harrowing time rushing seriously ill patients to hospitals on pot-holed roads.
“South Garo Hills provides the largest share of revenue from minerals to the state from the Garo Hills region and still no attempt is made to improve the condition of life of its people. We have for long been demanding the black topping of the roads by the state PWD and National Highway Authority of India but nothing has been taken up,” it claimed.
Appealing to the public to lend support to its two day protest, the organisations also informed that emergency services, including hospital duty, ambulance, fire brigade and other essential services would not be hindered during its non-cooperation movement.
