Improve connectivity or hand us over to Bangladesh: East Jaintia Hills villagers

A REPORTER

SHILLONG: More than 5,000 residents of four villages in East Jaintia Hills (EJH) district of Meghalaya — along the Indo-Bangladesh border — have expressed their extreme resentment over very poor connectivity. Peeved at the government's apathy, the villagers have now said that if the road is not constructed soon, they should be handed over to Bangladesh.

These residents claim that they have to rely on Bangladesh for their survival because of the negligence and ignorance on the parts of governments regarding the border connectivity issues.

The locals of Hingaria, Huroi, Lahalein, and Lejri villages have been moving from pillar to post to draw the attention of those in power — both in New Delhi and Shillong — to construct the Rymbai-Bataw-Borkhat-Sonapur Road for many years; but their pleas have always fallen on deaf ears.

It has been reported that the deplorable condition of the road has affected the livelihood of these villagers residing on the Meghalaya side of the Indo-Bangladesh border.

Their lives are under threat due to the lack of connectivity. The absence of road and mobile connectivity as well as proper medical facilities has crippled the day-to-day activities of these Indians citizens residing in these border area villages, and that too in these modern times.

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