Shillong: The Seng Samla Hima Langrin (SSHL) issued a six-month ultimatum to the Meghalaya state government and the PWD (Roads). They demand the immediate sanction and blacktopping of the 50-year-old Wahkaji-Phlangdiloin-Langpa road. This critical route connects the local area to Ranikor. Failure to act will trigger a Public Interest Litigation in the High Court of Meghalaya.
Residents gathered this past Saturday for a meeting in Phlangdiloin village, located 50 km from Mawkyrwat. Hundreds attended, including local sordars and prominent leaders. SSHL president Pynshailang Lyngdoh condemned the government for ignoring the road for half a century. The state of the stretch has turned deadly. Pregnant women and children died after failing to reach hospitals in time.
Lyngdoh blasted the government for drawing revenue from Hima Langrin while neglecting basic infrastructure. He highlighted the daily economic drain caused by the poor road. The current trip takes three to four hours through Mawkyrwat. A paved road would cut that travel time to just 15 to 20 minutes. "All government offices and banks are located in the Ranikor area. A proper road connecting Phlangdiloin to Ranikor would cut travel time to just 15 to 20 minutes," Lyngdoh said. Farmers also suffer from an inability to access border markets for fair rates.
Lyngdoh criticized local MLA Pius Marwein for his failure to secure improvements during his second term in office. He urged area youth to stay engaged in the democratic process rather than boycotting elections. Accountability is the primary goal. The group lacks the capacity for a long-term hunger strike. "Since we do not have people who can stage a prolonged hunger strike to press the government, the SSHL has decided that if the government does not resolve this issue within six months, we will have no option but to file a PIL in the Meghalaya High Court," Lyngdoh said.
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