Shillong, Oct 15: The Federation of Khasi, Jaintia and Garo People (FKJGP), West Khasi Hills unit, on Wednesday submitted a memorandum to Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma during his visit to Nongstoiñ, highlighting eight pressing issues with focus on border harassment and poor infrastructure.
The organisation said Assam officials recently disrupted construction of an ICDS centre sanctioned by Meghalaya government in border areas. Villagers along with Syiems, Sirdars and headmen have affirmed they want to remain under Meghalaya, it said.
“There may be some people having dual EPIC for profit but this cannot certify that village or Hima should fall under Assam government,” FKJGP president Pynshai K Bani said, urging the CM to expedite final settlement of the border in Langpih sector.
The organisation also pointed to the poor condition of Mallangkona and Langpih Border Outposts, stating they look no better than village huts and are not secure for personnel, while the Assam outpost opposite Langpih is far ahead in facilities. It sought safe buildings and additional manpower for the two outposts.
Beyond the border, it flagged acute shortage of health facilities in one of the state’s oldest and largest districts. It sought a cancer wing, dialysis unit, specialists including neurologist, gynecologist, ophthalmologist, radiologist, pathologist, obstetrician, pediatrician and nephrologist, besides pediatrics and neonatology support for the MCH. It also sought upgradation of Maweit and Rambrai PHCs to CHCs and Mawlangkhar and Umdang sub-centres to PHCs, and flagged shortage of ambulances, mortuary van, ultrasound and lab testing facilities and overcrowding in maternity ward and OPD.
In education, FKJGP sought a government college with science and commerce streams, noting students drop out as they have to go outside for higher studies. It also sought immediate operationalisation of Polytechnic at Mawrusyiar and ITI building which are completed but lying idle.
For road connectivity, it urged sanction of second phase of Nongstoin-Rambrai-Chaigoan road, widening of Mawthungkper-Jaidoh-Mawkaton-Nongkasen road linking Nongstoin-Wahkaji and NH-44E, and repair of Riangdo-Shallang-Maweit road which contributes revenue to state. It also sought upgradation of PWD Buildings Division from SDO to Executive Engineer level.
Describing West Khasi Hills as a “hidden giant” in tourism, the federation sought repair of Sangriang-Diengsyiang PMGSY road leading to Nongkhnum Island – the largest river island in Meghalaya and second largest in Asia – and construction of roads to Langshiang and Weispi waterfalls. It noted sites like Mawphanlur, Thup Falls and Chinma Falls have huge potential but suffer from poor roads, lack of stay facilities, sanitation, power, telecom and marketing, and that developing the district would decongest Sohra and Dawki.
Other demands include artificial turf ground at district headquarters, expediting synthetic track at Nongpathar, and upgradation of the Urban Affairs office at Nongstoiñ from Assistant Engineer to Executive Engineer to manage rapid growth of Nongstoiñ and Mairang towns.
