Jaintia Hills: The Silent Tragedy

Kerlang KsooMarch 9, 2024

In the wake of the recent article penned by the eminent O.R. Shallam, the relentless voice of Jaintia Hills, it becomes imperative for us to echo the concerns he has raised and delve deeper into the myriad issues plaguing the region. The East Jaintia Hills in particular, carved from its parent district in 2012, stands at a crossroads of neglect and discrimination, with the government’s continuous failure casting a dark shadow over its developmental and social prospects.

Shockingly, after twelve years, nearly 30% of Government offices in the district still have their head functionaries hailing from the parent District. This discrepancy hampers local representation and perpetuates an inherent bias against the East Jaintia Hills. Furthermore, approximately 40% of Government offices in the district operate from rental buildings, a stark reminder of the government’s inability to provide basic infrastructure, severely affecting both governance and public services.

Beyond bureaucratic issues, the district grapples with fundamental problems such as inadequate electricity supply, a lack of potable water, substandard education, and healthcare facilities. The absence of a Traffic Branch compounds these challenges, leading to daily traffic snarls, especially on the NH-6, affecting students, office-goers, and the general public alike.

A recent road blockade and protest in Narpuh Elaka underscore the urgent need for attention to the deteriorating conditions of the NH-6. Potholes, resembling small ponds, pose a grave risk to travelers, causing accidents and vehicular breakdowns, directly contravening the citizens’ constitutional rights in a democratic state. What have the State Government and the NHAI been doing all these while to address to this pressing concern? Adding to the litany of issues is the lack of proper and awful internal road connectivity, leaving hundreds of villages to commute to the district headquarter with intense difficulty and hardships especially during the rainy season. The two Legislative Assembly representatives for the district must address this immediate concern, as the populace faces severe inconvenience due to this oversight.

The recent Legislative Assembly session purportedly witnessing the government dedication of numerous projects across the state, including colleges, institutes, dams, roads, and marketing complexes. However, the bitter truth is that none of these projects sees the light of day in the Jaintia Hills region. The deafening silence from our elected representatives on this matter is disconcerting, raising questions about their commitment to the region’s development. As elections loom on the horizon, it is crucial for Jaintia residents not to succumb to the allure of black money and false promises. We must prioritize the region and society over personal gains, choosing long-term development over fleeting electoral guarantees. It is time for the people to hold our politicians accountable, demanding answers to the pressing issues that have long plagued the region.

In conclusion, the call for genuine development echoes loudly through the hills, and it is high time for the government to shed its ‘Talk Big, Work Less’ mantra and fulfill the aspirations of the people who elected them to office. The future of Jaintia Hills depends on the choices we make today, and it is imperative that we choose wisely for the prosperity of our region and the state as a whole.