Angry residents of Jowai today dumped garbage in front of the Deputy Commissioner’s office over its failure to take steps to rid the town of the mountains of garbage that have been piling up for weeks now.
Hundreds of residents also carried out a rally defying Covid protocols and prohibitory order and shouted slogans near the DC’s office and slammed the government’s lack of responsibility.
It may be mentioned that recently the Synjuk ki Waheh Shnong, a conglomeration of all headmen in Jowai decided to withdraw its support to the district administration with regards to Covid-19 work.
Waheh shnong of Tympang Ïawmusiang, Eddystone Shylla said that dumping of garbage in front of the DC’s office was symbolic to show their “sadness” on the problems the residents are facing. He said the district administration has demonstrated no responsibility at all to address the hardships faced by the residents of Jowai despite the matter being raised time and again.
The Jowai Municipal Board has been unable to dispose of the town’s garbage after residents of several villages opposed the further dumping of waste at Mynkjai. The JMB then attempted to find other options, like getting rid of the garbage in Marten (which serves Shillong) and even an abandoned coal mine in East Jaiñtia Hills, but all these ideas came to nought.
Shylla ridiculed the fact that Meghalaya will soon celebrate its 50th year of statehood but the government is not even able to attend to the trash produced by Jowai.
He also urged residents not to litter the River Myntud, which is the main source of water for Jowai, but to keep piling the trash at Ïawmusiang.
Meanwhile, Synjuk ki Waheh Shnong in East Jaiñtia Hills today submitted a written complaint to their deputy commissioner against dumping of garbage by the Jowai Municipal Board in Lamyrsiang village on August 4.
President of the synjuk, Satly Ryngkhlem and general secretary, Jespar Bareh said the waheh shnongs will continue to oppose any future move of the municipal board to dump garbage in the district and warned that if any society, organisation or individual allows it, they will have to shoulder the responsibility if any issues arise.
Furthermore, the synjuk also expressed concern over the quit notice issued by the Synjuk Waheh Shnong Jowai to six villages in East Jaiñtia Hills, who opposed to dumping of the garbage at Mynkjai.
“We want unity in the Jaiñtia Hills and such a notice will hamper our relationship. Therefore it is time an understanding is reached,” the synjuk said.
