TURA, Dec 6: Peeved at the unheeded demand for the creation of Dainadubi C&RD Block in North Garo Hills (NGH), residents of Dainadubi and its adjacent areas on Tuesday shut down offices and shops for 24 hours as a mark of protest.
The shutdown was called by the Dainadubi Block Demand Committee in conjunction with all the NGOs from the region, including the Garo Students’ Union (GSU), Federation of Khasi Jaintia and Garo People (FKJGP), All Achik Youth Federation (AAYF), Mothers’ Union, among others.
Activities in the entire area came to a standstill on Tuesday with all shops downing their shutters as part of the protest, which will continue till 6 am of December 7.
“We have shut down in protest over the government overlooking our legitimate demand for a separate C&RD Block. We had decided to protest following a meeting held earlier with everyone at the Bangsi Apal School playground,” said a member of the committee, Sanjak Sangma.
It is pertinent to note that the demand for the Dainadubi C&RD Block began four years ago.
The demand picked up pace after Chief Minister Conrad Sangma started inaugurating a spate of C&RD blocks across the state, including the nearby Adokgre C&RD Block.
“The government has turned a deaf ear to our demands and we have decided that we will continue with various forms of protests to ensure the government hears our pleas,” added Sanjak.
Earlier last month, a rally on the same demand was also undertaken by residents of the area.
