Meghalaya government constitutes committee to break deadlock

Shillong, Oct 15 : The Meghalaya government today formed a committee to break the deadlock between different factions of the society and government officials over the alignment of four-laning road project on National Highway 40 connecting Guwahati and Shillong in state's Ri Bhoi district.

''We have constituted committee comprising of Ri Bhoi district deputy commissioner, PWD officials and Umsning headmen to present their personal views before choosing the route, either the existing path or the bypass road,'' Chief Minister Mukul Sangma told reporters here.

The night roadblockade began yesterday. The blockade would again continue on October 19 and 20, while a dawn to dusk bandh has been called on October 21.

''There was no untoward incident in the district yesterday and all precautions are being taken to maintain law and order,'' Ri-Bhoi Superintendent of Police Claudia Lyngwa said.

The government Committee was constituted after the Joint Action Committee (JAC), comprising of social organisations, called a four- night road blockade on NH 40 from yesterday against the government’s decision to build the project through the existing market in Umsning.

Two JAC activists were arrested.

The district admnistration has imposed section 144 CrPC in the entire district prohibiting obstruction of vehicular movement along the National Highway -40.

The JAC wants the state government to adhere to the National Highway Authority of India’s projected alignment that takes a bypass from the existing market at Umsning.

Earlier, Chief Minister held closed door meeting with Khasi Student’s Union, Federation of Khasi, Jaintia and Garo People’s and Hynniewtrep National Youth Front seeking their suggestion to break the deadlock over the issue.

''We welcome the government’s decision (formation of the committee) and we would appeal to the JAC for the suspension of the ongoing agitational programmes,'' KSU President, Samuel Jyrwa said.

The state BJP unit, meanwhile, demanded a clarification from the chief minister about the allegations raised by social organisations that the state government was alternating the original alignment of the project under the influence of businessmen.