Tura, June 22: Chokpot in South Garo Hills, deemed for long as one of the most backward regions where development is seldom witnessed, was transformed and upgraded into a civil sub-division four years ago.
Despite its new status there remains immense need for infrastructural development alongside human resources, but the absence of any housing facilities is discouraging officers, staff, project implementers and others to remain for long periods within the civil sub-division.
The Garo Hills Autonomous District Council member (MDC) representing the Chokpot constituency, Nikman Ch Marak of the GNC has apprised chief minister Conrad K Sangma of the situation.
In a memorandum submitted to Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma during his visit to Tura on Monday, MDC Nikman Marak, who is also the Deputy Chief Executive Member (Dy CEM) in the NPP led EC in GHADC, suggested the construction of a circuit house to provide much needed accommodation to visiting officials which in turn would speed up the progress of the new civil sub-division.
“Ever since the creation of the Community and Rural Development Block office and the recent Chokpot civil sub-division, almost all government offices in the sub-division have been running without any accommodation facilities. This has been causing immense inconvenience to government officers and even the general public. It also poses a constant threat and sense of insecurity due to the dearth of proper and safe accommodation facilities,” Marak said in his memo to the Chief Minister.
He said that there is a strong need for the construction of a circuit house so that visiting officers and others can use its facilities while at the same time undertaking their work for the progress of the region.
“I urge upon you to judiciously accord a financial sanction for the construction of Circuit House at Chokpot with sufficient rooms and modern facilities,” appealed the Deputy CEM in his memo.
Chokpot was once a conflict zone with militants of the GNLA, and before them the ANVC, running amok creating lawlessness and bringing development work to a grinding halt.
Dozens were kidnapped for ransom or killed during the height of militancy in the region and the situation became so volatile that several officials, fearing for their lives, were reluctant to visit the place. Even the state bank of India was compelled to close down for a period of time due to the militancy problem and it is only now that a semblance of normalcy has returned following the end to militancy in the region.
