NONGPOH: Amid the state government having its hand full in the fight against COVID-19 pandemic, the leaders of the Hynniewtrep National Youth Front (HNYF), Northern Region, have accused Assam government of taking advantage of the current situation by resuming construction of a PMGSY road falling under Hima Nongspung of Jirang Constituency in Ri Bhoi District.
Taking to media persons, HNYF-NR general secretary, Donroy Kshiar, said that the Federation has been informed that the Assam government has taken advantage of the pandemic situation and has resumed construction of a PMGSY road from Assam which connects to Balakhawa and Bernongsai villages of Ri Bhoi district.
Kshiar also recalled that the Assam government had in 2019 stopped the construction work of the PMGSY road following strong opposition from the then-secretary of Hima Nongspung, (L) Michael Warjri, following which his residence was demolished and he was brutally attacked on May 7, 2019. It was after this that Warjri was arrested and sent to Palasbari Police Station, Assam, on the grounds of threatening a mob with a single barrel gun.
Kshiar said that it is because of Warjri’s strong dissent the Assam government could not complete the construction of road.
Condemning the act by the Assam government, the HNYF has demanded that the state government and the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) should take prompt steps in ensuring that the project is stopped.
“If the state government and the KHADC are not serious enough on this matter, the Federation will have to decide its own course of action in order to protect the people of the district, their rights and their properties,” the HNYF said.
