Shillong, 21 July : A planned inauguration of the Block Integrated Development Complex at Mawpat had to be cancelled due to a protest by the local dorbar shnong.

A crowd gathered in large number prevented Community & Rural Development Minister AT Mondal and Minister incharge Animal Husbandry & Veterinary AL Hek – who is also Pynthorumkhrah constituency – to enter the block premises while shouting anti-government slogans and waving of black flags.

The protesters were demanding that the government honor an agreement signed when the land for the complex was donated.

The agreement reportedly included provisions for job appointments to locals and adequate funding for the block.

The protesters alleged that the government had failed to fulfill these commitments, leading to the demonstration.

Locals are demanding that the government adhere to the agreement to provide job opportunities to residents of Mawpat.

The dorbar shnong is also seeking sufficient funding for the block to ensure its effective functioning.

Protesters highlighted that casual and contractual employees were being paid meager salaries, ranging from Rs 3,000 to Rs 8,000, due to the failure to implement minimum wages.

Community & Rural Development Minister AT Mondal has assured that the issues raised by the dorbar shnong will be addressed.

The inauguration of the block office has been postponed until the concerns are resolved.

Mondal emphasized that the block is meant to serve the people and that the government is committed to fulfilling the agreements.

“They (dorbar shnong) have mentioned that there were some agreement done when this land was given and they want those agreements to be fulfilled in letter and spirit. We thought that let the block functional as now it is serving from a temporary building and we are not able to provide the services to the people. So we thought let the block go and simultaneously we will take up all these issues and we fulfilled them,” he stated.

The minister has extended an invitation to the dorbar shnong to engage in dialogue and resolve the issues. He has also offered to meet with them at his office to discuss the matter further.

The dorbar shnong has demanded a written assurance from the government before they agree to cooperate.

On the other hand, Hek expressed concern over the protest and stated that the dorbar shnong should have approached him earlier with their grievances.

“If C&RD Minister has agreed not to inaugurate that is the decision of the department. I am just a local MLA and I am not the minister of the C&RD department. We have to accept the decision of the C&RD department.”

“However, if there are grievances, they (dorbar shnong) should have come and meet me or the government. Had they come and met me two-three days before the inauguration, we would have resolve the issue as we want to work together with the dorbar shnong,” he said, “But all this while they have never inform about such grievances.
If employees are underpaid since 2016-17, it is my duty to take up with the government and resolve the issue. In fact it was I who had recommended their appointment.”

“I was never informed by the dorbar shnong regarding the fact that the employees were never given minimum wages. I came to know only day before yesterday through a letter they had sent through Whatsapp and I had instructed the BDO to implement minimum wages,” Hek further stated.

Headman of Mawpat Judah Wahlang said the dorbar shnong has demanded the government to respect the people sentiment and rectify these issues immediately.

“If government is ready to give a written assurance, we will again close down the village to come and attend the inauguration of the C&RD block office,” he said.

“The minister and MLA have given the assurances. It is up to them. We want a written assurance and once we received that we will take it up and read it in the dorbar and if it is accepted we will extend our full cooperation to the government,” he assured.

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