SHILLONG, Oct 17: The FKJGP, West Khasi Hills district, has urged the state government to expedite the Meghalaya-Assam boundary settlement and address gaps in healthcare, education, roads and tourism infrastructure.
In a memorandum submitted to Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma, FKJGP general secretary Willis Syiem said residents along the border continued to face difficulties, citing an alleged incident in which Assam officials disrupted the construction of a Meghalaya government-sanctioned ICDS centre.
The organisation sought the strengthening of the Langpih and Mallangkona border outposts, including improved buildings and additional personnel.
Syiem said the district urgently needed specialist doctors, a cancer wing, a dialysis centre, more ambulances and adequate medical staff. The memorandum also sought the upgrading of Maweit and Rambrai primary health centres (PHCs) to community health centres (CHCs) and Mawlangkhar and Umdang sub-centres to PHCs, besides making the Maternal and Child Health facility fully operational.
On education, the FKJGP called for government colleges offering science and commerce streams and the early opening of the polytechnic at Mawrusyiar and the Industrial Training Institute.
It also sought expedited work on the Nongstoin-Rambrai-Chaigoan road, the widening of the Mawthungkper-Jaidoh-Mawkaton road and improvements to the Riangdo-Shallang-Maweit road.
Highlighting the tourism potential of Nongkhnum Island, Mawphanlur, Langshiang and Weispi waterfalls, and other destinations, the organisation called for better road connectivity, tourist amenities, promotion and support for local entrepreneurs.
The memorandum further sought an artificial-turf football ground at Nongstoin, expedited construction of the synthetic track at Nongpathar and the upgrading of the Urban Affairs office at Nongstoin to district-office status, with an Executive Engineer appointed to oversee development projects in Nongstoin and Mairang.
The FKJGP urged the government to address these demands to improve public services and accelerate development across West Khasi Hills.