Shillong, Feb 16: Congress candidate from Khliehriat Jhanika Siangshai wants to address the plight of the sex workers besides finding solution to joblessness of people of the area due to the ban on coal mining.
“We have so many female sex workers in our place so we want to get rid of this menace. We know that women need help and strength. Why they become female sex workers is due to joblessness and their children are roaming om the road. As a mother, as a sister, I want to be a candidate for those people,” Siangshai told reporters on Thursday at Congress Bhawan here.
He was with other women candidates of the Congress and party leaders.
She also stressed the need of addressing the problem of drug menace that is affecting the youth.
On her fight against big business tycoons, Siangshai said, “I will win their hearts with love and trust. With love I can win the hearts of the people. Of course, love works more than money.”
She alleged that most of the men are against her candidature and are trying to harass her through the media. “However, God knows what is the best. He is giving me this opportunity to fight for women and also for those living with HIV. I want them to live life as a free bird, I want to fight against stigma and discrimination against them.”
Govt failed on coal mining resumption
She criticised the NPP-led MDA government for the sufferings of the people of East Jaintia Hills due to the ban on coal mining.
“Ever since the ban on coal mining, there have been only bad days for the people of East Jaintia Hills…everyone is dying and I have not seen the government is doing enough to resolve this ban,” Siangshai said.
“I have seen people dying. Since the coal ban is there, we have lost everything in East Jaintia. From royal families we became the poorest of the poor,” she said.
The 28-year-old candidate said the ban on coal mining has also led to many dropouts among the youth of the area.
“If coal mining reopens, it will open opportunities for each and every one. The main issue is the coal ban if this is resolved everything will be okay,” she said.
On her stand on scientific mining of coal, Siangshai said, “We can try that also but it should be at the earliest possible as if it is too late everything will be getting lost, ws we know that illegal coal mining is going on.”
