Meghalaya NGOs to seek PM's intervention on Assembly

Shillong, Dec 12 (UNI) The Hynniewtrep People's Social Organisation (HPSO) and Civil Society Women's Organisation (CSWO) will submit a memorandum to Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh seeking his intervention to revoke the decision of the Meghalaya government for constructing the new state Assembly complex on farmlands.

The HPSO and CSWO would also submit the same memorandum to UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi, Leader of the Opposition Lal Krishna Advani and state Chief Minister J D Rymbai.

''We are not against development, but we are against the decision of the High Power Committee constructing the Assembly on a farmland,'' HPSO Chairman Kyrshan War has said.

Threatening to file a PIL against the construction of the new Assembly complex, Mr War urged all the 60-members of the state legislative assembly to reconsider the decision in the interest of the farmers of the state.

Last week, state Governor M M Jacob laid the foundation stone of new state Assembly complex at Upper Shillong amid protests from NGOs against the construction of the building.

Mr Jacob also appealed to the agitating NGOs to reconsider their decision for opposing the construction.

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

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

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