New administrative unit opposed

By Our Reporter

SHILLONG, AUG 7: The Khasi Students’ Union (KSU) today demanded the Congress-led state government to consider upgrading Ranikor C&RD block into a full-fledged civil sub-division and scrap the proposed inauguration of a new administrative unit in the area.

Addressing newsmen here, KSU-South West Khasi Hills District organizing secretary Marcony Thongni said otherwise the union along with the people of the area will boycott the function for inauguration of the administrative unit by the chief minister Mukul Sangma on August 10.

“We would be compelled to stage a protest (on that day) if the chief minister fails to scrap the proposal and upgrade the block into a civil sub-division,” he said while informing that a memorandum on this regard was also submitted to Sangma and local MLA MM Danggo.

According to Thongni, who is also the president of the KSU-Ranikor Circle, upgradation of Ranikor block to a civil sub-division level has been the long pending demand of the people ever since the South West Khasi Hills District was created in 2012.

“It (block) deserves to be upgraded to a civil sub-division because as per census, the block is covering more than 180 villages with a population of over 41, 000,” he said.

Slamming the present government for failing to be realistic in its judgement, Thongni cited that the government was quick in creating the Mawpat C&RD block which is not far from the new Mawlai C&RD block but is reluctant to address the problems faced by rural population.

“This only shows the hypocrisy attitude of our law makers,” he said while arguing that the government should have considered creating a new block in the Wahkaji-Umdohlun area of the district.

Stating that many villages are located far away from the Ranikor block, the KSU leader said Maheshkhola village is about 60 kilometers away from the block and Phlangdiloin village is 40 km away in which due to no road connectivity people have to walk at least 7 hours to reach Ranikor.

According to him, the government while taking such decision to create new blocks and civil sub-divisions should have taken into consideration all aspects to ensure administration is brought closer to the people.

Thongni said that in view of this, the people of the area have decided to oppose the setting up of the new administrative unit in the area of the district.