Six village chiefs to stage protest against health department’s apathy

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaAugust 17, 2020

Traditional chiefs of the six villages in East Khasi Hills district have decided to stage a sit-in-demonstration as a mark of protest against the state government’s failure to shift the Mawrynkneng primary health centre (PHC) to its new building.

“The sordar (chiefs) of the six villages will stage a sit-in-demonstration at the premises of the Mawryngkneng PHC on August 19,” Chairman of the Synjuk ki Sordar 6 Shnong, Peter J Lawai said in a statement issued here on Monday.  

Lawai, also a village sordar of Mawryngkneng, informed that the future course of action would also be taken after the first phase of agitation to ensure that the demand is achieved at the earliest.

The six villages include Mawryngkneng, Kut, Puriang, Pommura, Thangshalai and Ksehpyndeng.

He said the decision was taken because the health department of the state government has failed to keep its promises made in a meeting held at the PHC Mawryngkneng on June 12, this year in the presence of local MLA David Nongrum and MDC Pyniaid Sing Syiem.

“The Director of Health Services (MI), Dr Aman War had assured in the meeting attended by the sordars of the six villages that the PHC will be shifted from the old building to the new building within the month of July. He also assured that the transformer will also be immediately installed for power supply to the new building. Unfortunately, till today there has been no sign to fulfill what was promised to us,” Lawai said.

The sordar of Mawryngkneng also alleged that the DHS (MI) has also failed to reply to the reminder sent by the Synjuk on July 6. “We feel this only reflects the insensitive attitude of the department towards the plight of the people of the area,” he said.