Traditional heads of four villages under Elaka Sumer in East Jaiñtia Hills district today led their residents in a black-flag protest march against the pathetic road condition, which was never repaired or maintained since it was laid in 1980.
The waheh shnongs of Pala, Kseh, Khahnar and Muknor were also joined by members of the East Jaiñtia National Council in the protest which started from Shi-Kilo to the deputy commissioner’s office in Khliehriat.
Protestors raised slogans against authorities for their failure to get the badly damaged roads repaired.
The protestors said that the elected representative, Shitlang Pale failed to take up the issue and that they were forced to stage the protest as the government had neglected the villages, situated along the border with Assam.
Chairman of the Elaka Sumer Matheus Dkhar said because of the apathy of the authorities and elected representatives, the number accidents continue on this damaged road. He recalled an accident in Khahnar village on March 8, 2016 that claimed the lives of three villagers and 39 injured.
A resident of Pala village, Dressibon Lyngdoh said, “As border residents we were assured during the elections that we will benefit from different schemes and projects. But the government cannot even give us a road.”
East Jaiñtia National Council president Sambormi Lyngdoh blamed the MLA for not raising the issue. “We want the MLA to speak on behalf of the people and if he cannot do that he should resign. Yes we understand that full authority is not on him but at least through this black-flag protest march we can motivate him to take up the problem faced by poor villagers.”
A memorandum was also submitted by the waheh shnongs to the office of the deputy commissioner on the matter.
