New district in Meghalaya by 2007

Shillong, Mar 14 (UNI) A new district headquarter in Meghalaya's Jaintia Hills is lilely to be created by next year.

Meghalaya has so far seven districts comprising East and West Khasi Hills districts, Jaintia Hills district, Ri-Bhoi district, East, West and South Garo hill districts.

Chief Minister D D Lapang today assured this to a delegation under the umbrella called 'East Jaintia Peoples' Movement'.

The EJPM has been fighting for a separate district, East Jaintia hills, since 1997, President J Pyrtuh told reporters after the meeting with the Chief Minister adding today's discussion went on a positive note.

Asked about land size of the proposed district, he said it has approximately 2115 sq km that also shares border with Bangladesh.

As per census figure the strength of indigenous people in the area stood at 92300, he said and added that floating population would be more than three lakh.

The delegation leader claimed that the area is rich in mineral resources hence it would not cause much difficulty to the state government to develop infrastructure required for the proposed district.

Mr. Ryrtuh said two MLAs and ten members of district council (MDCs) from the area supported the call.

UNI PRS TJP AKP1339