Meghalaya: NGOs submit memorandum seeking probe into health, forest dept

TURA | OCT 18, 2019:

A memorandum has been submitted by the Garo Students' Union (GSU) in North Garo Hills (NGH) to the deputy commissioner over the pathetic road conditions Garo hills connecting Damra in Assam through Resubelpara and Bajengdoba. The NGOs are seeking probe against two departments as well as the immediate repair of the road

The two departments against which the NGO wanted an investigation was that of Health and Forest departments with the NGO threatening to agitate if action is not taken on the negligence of the departments in question within a week.

"The Damra – Bajengdoba road is the main road for the people of the district and this PWD road is lying a pathetic condition. This has even made vehicles (buses, sumos and autos) normally using the route, divert and use the Krishnai road instead. This has caused a lot of inconvenience to the people of the district, especially students," stated the NGO in the memo while asking for the immediate repair of the road.

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The NGO also alleged that during its visits to various hospitals (PHC and CHC) it was found that doctors were irregular and there was a lack of medicines. The NGO felt there was a need to investigate what was happening in the PHCs and CHCs and action taken against those guilty of neglect of duty.

On the issue of the state and GHADC forest departments, the NGO felt that the rampant smuggling prevailing in the area needed to be investigated for the role of the authorities.

"There is a state range office in Dainadubi and 5 sub beats along all routes which should have been able to stop illegal smuggling of timber. Our concern is that the neglect has led to almost all trees being felled. Through reliable sources, we believe some of the forest officers too are involved with the smugglers," said Landslord Momin, the NGH GSU president.

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The NGO added that since all routes were manned by forest offices, it was impossible that smugglers would be able to steal timber without the involvement of forest authorities.

Through the memo, the NGO has demanded action on its demands within 7 days, threatening to lodge agitations if there was no response to it.