CHOKPOT, JUNE 19: “We have never been able to reap the benefit of development. Promises were made but our prayers never answered”, said twenty-three year old Kalme Marak, who runs a small shop in a market in Kakiza village, about 8 km from Chokpot.
Chokpot is about 60 kilometer from Tura in West Garo Hills.
Chokpot constituency in South Garo hills has remained one of the most backward areas of the state. This constituency had late Clifford Marak and Masongsing Sangma, as is legislator.
Clifford had been agriculture minister during late 1970s and Masongsing has been industry minister in 1990s.
In this bye-elections necessitated by the death of Clifford Marak, four candidates are in fray for in June 27 elections.
Marak, who passed away on March 27, had represented the constituency for four terms. He was the lone legislator of Garo National Council (GNC) which he had formed demanding creation of separate Garoland.
Marak’s wife Kalpana Sangma is contesting the bye-elections banking on the sympathy vote. But mood and atmosphere at Chokpot constituency looks different and charged up. “We want change!” said Morin Sangma, 32 of Silkigre village.
“We feel that successive government has failed to give attention to our constituency as our MLAs in last 10 years have been in opposition party. We are seeking a change in leadership. Our vote will be for candidate, who is willing to resolve our problem. We cannot be emotionally driven to false claims anymore”, said Asish Marak, 31 of Chokpot.
Chokpot is known for coal trade. The area, which has dense forest cover, is a haven for militants, who unleashed reign of terror activities. Yesterday, the Meghalaya police had an encounter with rebels along the Durama hills region.
On Tuesday, a Garo National Liberation Army (GNLA) cadre was killed in an encounter at Chokpot. Intelligence agencies have sounded an alert in Chokpot constituency.
Most people in the area have pitched for good road connectivity as a major problem. From 12 mile, near Kherapara village, Chokpot is about 35 km. However, the road is rough and bumpy.
On a rainy day, the communication to areas beyond Chokpot becomes impossible. “For last three decades, the road has never been repaired”, said Amosh Marak, a youth activist.
For at least 150 villages beyond Chokpot, the nearest weekly market is Chokpot, Emanasakgre and Silkigre. However, communication poses a hindrance as it takes long hours for travel. The stretch will be in an area of 15 – 20 km.
A team of security personnel was seen moving on trucks for insurgency operation at Kakiza village yesterday. Meghalaya social welfare minister and state working president of Congress party Deborah C Marak was at Kakiza village yesterday to campaign for their candidate Bluebell Sangma, widow of Masonsing Sangma. Masongsing had represented Chokpot constituency for four terms, twice from Congress ticket and twice Nationalist Congress Party (NCP).
At a public rally at Kakiza village attended by about 300 people, Deborah urged the electorates to vote for a candidate, who would be able to represent the aspiration of the people. She said, “Your candidate has to work like a peon and a chowkidar to raise the problem of the area before the government and ensure that the problem is resolved. Think wisely and vote for the right candidate”.
Deborah was schedule to address another rally near Chokpot yesterday.
However because of heavy rain a bridge collapsed in the area and she had to take a different route to reach Sibbari via Silkigre. “Road connectivity is a major issue for the area. The area needs serious attention. How can we shy away from the fact?” conceded Deborah Marak, when asked about the problem.
All political bigwigs included former Lok Sabha speaker Purno Sangma, former chief minister DD Lapang and Meghalaya chief minister Mukul Sangma are gearing up for campaigning for their candidates in the constituency.
Party Candidate
INC Bluebell Sangma
GNC Kalpana Sangma
NPP Philipole Marak
IND Thinkerman Marak– By Our Reporter
+ There are no comments
Add yours