The Hynñiewtrep National Youth Front (HNYF) will stage a 24-hour protest over the dilapidated road conditions from Mawphlang to Balat.
The HNYF said the protest will begin on the evening of June 24 and end on June 25.
According to the pressure group, the road was built 60 years ago by the Assam government and was dubbed a strategic road. The HNYF is especially peeved at the dilapidated road condition from Weiloi to Mawsynram.
The HNYF southern border area said that for 35-40 years there have been no signs of repair.
Unit president, Kyllang S Thongni said that not only the present government is turning a blind eye to the road condition, but subsequent governments have never done its bid to repair the road.
He said that various groups from time to time have been crying hoarse over the dilapidated road but the government is turning a blind eye. “The roads are getting from bad to worse and have become a nightmare for the residents travelling on these roads,” he said.
Thongni said road has become a death trap as many lives lost. “When they are sick, they should reach hospitals in Shillong on time for better treatments, but halfway they lose their lives,” he said.
While stressing on the need for better road conditions, Thongni said there is a huge potential to develop tourism and border trade due to its proximity to Bangladesh.
Thongni said that Mawsynram can attract tourists by getting the highest rainfall in the world. “But tourists don’t want to go because of the dilapidated road condition,” he added.
He said that this road connects to three border haats in the area – Nolikata (Ranikor), Lalpani (Dangar) and Ryngku. “Trade, agriculture are affected due to the road condition and essential commodities have skyrocketed,” he added.
The HNYF president criticised MLAs and said none has taken the responsibility to work on getting good roads but end up only in doling out promises during the elections. “The legislators of Mawsynram and Ranikor are in the ruling side and they should take responsibility for repairing the road,” he said.
Thongni said that the road condition from Mawphlang to Balat was used as propaganda during elections. He said this should stop if they (MLAs) want people to support them, they should take responsibility to take the issue up with the government.
He also demanded an answer from the deputy chief minister in charge of the Public Works Department (Roads) for leaving the road unattended. “Why can’t it be repaired? Why has the scheme not been sanctioned for the betterment of the area and its people,” he questioned.
