Hundreds of villagers from 21 villages of Mawshynrut area of West Khasi Hills today protested against the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) for tagging their villages with Rambrai-Jyrngam constituency.
The 21 villages fall under three polling stations of Misei, Langdongdai and Mawsmai. These villages that were under Mawshynrut constituency have been brought under Rambrai-Jyrngam constituency under the delimitation of constituencies carried out by the KHADC.
The villagers who marched from Umshyrpi Bridge to the district council in Garikhana were however prevented from entering the premises of the office.
Irked by this, the protestors sat on the road causing traffic jams and inconvenience to commuters. The hassled commuters also confronted the protestors.
Twenty of the protesting villagers, led by Chairman of the Joint Action Committee (JAC), Jeremiia Dkhar were later invited for talks with KHADC Deputy Chief Executive Member (CEM) Pynshngain. N. Syiem.
Later after meeting, the Deputy CEM, who is also the Chairman of the select committee, informed reporters that the 21 villages under three polling stations were shifted to Rambrai-Jyrngam constituency, since they fall under the same constituency for the Assembly elections.
Syiem also informed that due to the dissatisfaction expressed by the villagers, the Executive Committee will review the matter and place it before the House which will be held on December 19, so that an amendment can be brought to the Delimitation Bill for the satisfaction of the villagers.
The JAC on the other hand said they were not satisfied with the meeting. Dkhar said the committee will hold another meeting on December 20 to intensify their agitation.
He said that earlier, representatives from the 21 villages made their stand clear before the delimitation committee led by Dr. S. Syiemlieh.
It was initially decided that all 21 villages would remain under Mawshynrut constituency. However, this decision was altered within two days for unknown reasons, Dkhar stated.
He said that Rambrai is about 88 km away and lacks accessible roads, often requiring travel through Assam while Mawshynrut area has better road conditions, with the farthest distance being only 22 km.
“The decision of the residents of the 21 villages, which have over 2,500 voters, is clear. We want to remain in Mawshynrut. If this changes the KHADC and the selection committee will have to take responsibility for the consequences,” he warned.
