GSU launches non-coop movement in Meghalaya

Shillong, Dec 9: Peeved with Meghalaya government's failure to fulfil its assurances, the influential Garo Students' Union has called for one-day non-cooperation movement in state's three Garo Hills districts on December 11 and followed by three days dusk to dawn road blockade.

The GSU's non-cooperation movement starts from 0600 to 1600 hours on December 11 followed by road blockade on December 12 to 14 from 1800 hours to 0400 hours, GSU President Andreas T Sangma told UNI here over phone from Tura.

The road blockade would affect the National Highway 62 connecting Garo Hills and Asom.

''We have no other option but to launch democratic agitations to pressurise the Congress-led government to concede their promises,'' Mr Sangma said.

The GSU president said that there were several government buildings, including the circuit house, inns, quarters, commissioner of divisions building, auditorium to serve as infrastructure for the winter session at Tura.

Mr Sangma said hosting of the winter session at Tura would act as a catalyst for development.

The students' body has urged the Rymbai-led government to hold state assembly's winter session in Tura.

Mr Sangma pointed out that the proposal for making Tura, the winter capital of Meghalaya, was pending since it achieved statehood.

''This did not materialise because of lack of political will on the part of legislators and the strategy was derailed before it could even be initiated,'' the GSU president stated.

Earlier, state Home and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Robert Garnet Lyngdoh said the government has done its duty but blamed legislators for not attending the meeting convened by Assembly Speaker to decide on the matter.

''The government and Speaker alone cannot take the decision in this matter without consulting the political parties,'' Mr Lyngdoh said.

UNI