By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, Dec 24: After over 20 years of alleged neglect by the state government, the Khasi Students’ Union (KSU) Raid Nongtung Circle, along with its Eastern Border Area unit, has undertaken repair and improvement work on the road at Umsaw Lum Dorbar village along the Meghalaya-Assam border.
The initiative comes after repeated appeals by the local residents fell on deaf ears. The KSU described the effort as a goodwill gesture and a Christmas gift to the people of the village.
Umsaw Lum Dorbar had drawn attention in 2005 when around 30 houses were allegedly burnt by the Assam Forest Department, forcing several families to flee. At the time, KSU leaders, led by former president Samuel B Jyrwa and former general secretary Hamlet Dohling, along with former HSPDP supremo the late Hopingstone Lyngdoh, had visited the village to assess the situation, provide assistance, and ensure protection for the affected families. Temporary shelter was also arranged for the displaced.
When Jyrwa, who is now the chairman of North East Students’ Organisation, and KSU president Lambokstarwell Marngar visited the village on December 16, the locals had shared their grievances, highlighting that no efforts were made by the government to repair the road.
KSU Raid Nongtung Circle president Edmund Shadap said the village has endured hardship since 2005. He added that with the support of the late Hopingstone Lyngdoh, temporary land had been arranged earlier to help the affected families to resettle.
Despite the challenges, Shadap said the KSU has never forgotten the residents of Umsaw Lum Dorbar, reiterating that they remain an integral part of the organisation.
He thanked Jyrwa for visiting the village and interacting with the residents, stating that the visit boosted their morale and helped highlight long-standing issues such as poor road connectivity and lack of access to drinking water for over two decades.
According to Shadap, instructions were issued to the KSU Raid Nongtung Circle and Eastern Border Area units to work jointly and take immediate steps to improve the road condition to ease difficulties faced by the residents during medical emergencies and daily travel. Arrangements were subsequently made to deploy an excavator.
Umsaw Lum Dorbar village secretary Khrawbor Lyngdoh expressed happiness over the initiative, describing it as a timely gesture during the festive season and likening it to a Christmas gift for the village.
He said KSU leaders had earlier informed residents about the JCB deployment and personally assessed the village’s needs before undertaking the work.
On behalf of the village, Lyngdoh thanked the KSU central body for responding to their long-standing concerns and actively engaging with the community to improve local infrastructure. He said that a major village meeting is scheduled for January 17 and 18 next year, during which pending issues will be discussed.
The village further extended special thanks to the KSU leadership, particularly its president, for promptly taking responsibility and supporting the road improvement initiative in the interest and welfare of the residents of Umsaw Lum Dorbar.
