Social activist to stage protest

SHILLONG, JULY 3: A social activist has decided to stage a one-day sit-in-demonstration to protest against the alleged adamant attitude of the state government to upgrade Mawsynram into a Civil Sub-Division, which is a long pending demand of the people.

Banshai Marbaniang, a social activist from Mawsynram Block in collaboration with the Hynniewtrep Youth Council (HYC) Mawsynram Circle will hold the sit-in-protest at the parking lot near the Additional Secretariat on July 5.

In a statement issued here on Tuesday, Marbaniang said, “We protest against the state government for neglecting the public demand for creation of a new Civil Sub-Division in Mawsynram.”

Stating that Mawsynram is one of the oldest blocks in the state and it was created way back in 1958 much before Meghalaya got its statehood, he said that the block is also the largest comparing to others.

“However it is very sad to see that the people of Mawsynram block have been abandoned by the state government just because of their political propaganda,” Marbaniang alleged.

Besides, the social activist further informed that the proposed sit-in-demonstration was also to oppose against the government’s failure to address the deplorable condition of the Mawphlang-Balat road which has affected the commuters especially during summer season.

He also alleged that the state government has also failed to improve the tourism in the region despite Mawsyram being a home to various tourist spots, which if promoted in the right earnest, could have improve the employment opportunities of the people.

Meanwhile, the social activist appealed to the people of the different villages under Mawsynram including those residing in the state capital to extend their full support and cooperation by joining hands in the protest.

By Our Reporter