Taking a swipe at the NPP, Sohra MDC Titos Chyne today said that the issue of Sohra district should not be allowed to be politicised.
Chyne who is the Chief Executive Member of Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) said that the issue should be addressed by the State government by taking all stakeholders on board.
“All are involved in the demand for Sohra district including traditional heads, pressure groups and the public. Even the public representatives are also involved in this issue. To make it an election issue by any political party is not right. I’m surprised that the issue came up suddenly just because somebody wanted to contest the upcoming Assembly election from Sohra,” he said.
The comment by Chyne is apparently directed at the NPP which has fielded Alan West Kharkongor as its candidate from Sohra constituency for the 2023 Assembly elections.
Kharkongor is also a member of Sohra District Demand Forum (SDDF), a group that is spearheading the demand for upgradation of Sohra civil sub-division into a full-fledged district.
“If the issue was raised by a political party a year before the election then we can take it as a sign that the party wanted to push for the demand. But to raise it now just two months before the election and make any claims would be very wrong on the part of such a political party,” Chyne added.
Chyne also said that any decision on the Sohra district issue should be taken after taking everyone on board which included the MLAs and MDCs of Sohra and Shella, Hima Sohra and traditional heads of Elakas which are not under Hima Sohra.
“There is need for consultations and mutual consent on all aspects of this matter including on the headquarters for the proposed district. Everything has to be clear. We don’t want it to be just laying of foundation stone,” Chyne said.
It may be mentioned that Chief Minister Conrad Sangma has assured to examine the demand for creation of a new Sohra district.
During the meeting with a delegation of Sohra District Demand Forum (SDDF) on October 26, the chief minister had assured to send the files relating to the demand to the chief secretary to initiate the process and examine all relevant matters.
