MAWKYRWAT, May 11: The Federation of Khasi-Jaintia & Garo People (FKJGP), South West Khasi Hills, on Saturday shut down the Umjarain Sub-Centre in the presence of the Umjarain village Secretary Shnong, delivering a major blow to primary healthcare services in the area.
The FKJGP took this drastic step after the Health department failed to respond to a two-week ultimatum demanding the appointment of Shidalin Lyngkhoi — the landowner of the Umjarain Sub-Centre — as a permanent staff member.
Enbor Syiemiong, information secretary of FKJGP South West Khasi Hills, said that according to an agreement signed with the Health department in 2010, Lyngkhoi had agreed to donate her land for the construction of the sub-centre.
In return, the department had promised her a government job. However, she has been serving only as a casual staff member for over a decade. “This centre will remain closed from today until the Health Department takes a decision to appoint the landowner as a permanent staff member. All its services to the public will be suspended,” Syiemiong stated.
Secretary Shnong of Umjarain village, C Lyngkhoi, expressed regret over the situation, noting that the suspension of primary healthcare services would severely affect residents of Umjarain and nearby villages under the sub-centre’s jurisdiction. However, he added that the Dorbar Shnong would not stand in the way of the FKJGP, as the Health department had failed to honour the agreement made with the landowner since 2010.
He urged the department to resolve the issue promptly to prevent further hardship to the community.
