Jacob lays foundation stone for Meghalaya assembl amdist protests

Shillong, Dec 8 (UNI) Meghalaya Governor M M Jacob today laid the foundation stone of new state Assembly complex at Upper Shillong amidst protest from NGOs against the construction of the building at the state's farmlands.

Meghalaya needs a new legislature house after the historic Assembly building at Khyndailad reduced to ashes on January 9, 2001.

It was made of Burmese teak in Gothic style by the British before Independence. The old Assembly had also the privileged for hosting the historic SAARC meeting.

Opposing the foundation laying ceremony, the Hynniewtrep People's Social Organisation (HPSO) and Civil Society Women's Organisation (CSWO) activists staged a black flag demonstration.

"The HPSO and CSWO would approach the court, seeking a stay order to direct the government to stop the construction of the new building,'' HPSO Chairman Kyrshan War told UNI here.

Earlier, Mr Jacob eulogized the government for taken the decision to construct the new legislature house after five years.

''It is a simple thing but it took five years for the government to decide the location of the new Assembly,'' Mr Jacob said.

Earlier, the state government had proposed to construct the building at new Shillong Township. But the government failed to do so after protest from several state legislators and NGOs.

State Assembly Speaker Martin M Danggo said the government had acquired 35.3 acres of land for the new Assembly complex.

Chief Minister J D Rymbai, who also spoke on the occasion said the construction of the new Assembly will help the government to expand the crowded hill state capital of Meghalaya.

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