SHILLONG: A day after Meghalaya High Court rapped the national highway authority over the deteriorating condition of roads in Khliehriat, the Khasi Students’ Union’s East Jaintia Hills unit announced a sit-in demonstration on September 25 at the town’s district headquarters.
The planned demonstration, which will commence at 10:00 am and will conclude at 4:00 pm, will go on for a week, the union said in a statement issued on Thursday.
The protest comes as a response to the alleged neglect by the government and the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) concerning the deteriorating state of the National Highway 6.
In a more aggressive stance to amplify their demand, the KSU has appealed to citizens of neighbouring states – Assam, Mizoram, Tripura, and Manipur – to avoid travelling on this road starting 7:00 pm on September 25 to 5:00 am until the demands are met.
The union, however, has also stated that essential services such as ambulances, central forces, and other emergency vehicles will face no hindrances and will operate smoothly during this period.
This isn’t the first time KSU has raised its voice over the issue. On August 8, 2023, the union had organised a public protest, after which the Technical Manager of NHAI had assured immediate repair of the NH-6 within the district’s area in six weeks. Despite the assurances, both the NHAI and the state government have allegedly shown no progress or intent to remedy the situation.
The students’ body believes that that the planned protest and travel restriction will prompt immediate action by the concerned authorities, ensuring the well-being and safety of the residents and all those who rely on the NH-6.
Earlier on Wednesday, the Meghalaya High Court too came down heavily on the NHAI asking it to clarify the alarming state of road infrastructure in the Northeast.
Expressing deep concern, the High Court highlighted the 2 km segment of NH-6 passing through Khliehriat town, where locals are often seen fishing in rain-filled craters on the roadside due to the poor road conditions.
The court also dismissed NHAI’s claims about the NH-6 stretch from Jowai to Ratacherra being in good condition, except near the Sonapur tunnel, as untrue.
