Shillong, July 17: Khasi Hills groups have opposed the demand for winter capital in Tura.
The HNYF and KHNAM leaders have pointed out on Monday that the demand is unjustified.
The organisation called ACHIK is on a hunger strike in Tura demanding winter capital. Another demand is retrospective implementation of roster system .
Commenting on the winter capital demand, KHNAM working president Thomas Passah pointed out that neither is Garo hills too far from Shillong nor there is any other obstacles for people to travel from Tura to Shillong.
“If the demand is made in order to spread economic growth and helps bring about development then we will need to have more capitals in the state especially at those areas and districts which are lacking in development be it West Khasi Hills, Jaintia hills or Ri Bhoi District etc,” Passah said.
“The fact is that the major share of development has been channelised to Garo Hills for the past decades, if we start to list down the amount of funds from various departments allocated to Garo hills, we will see that Tura is the least deserving to be named as a winter capital based on development,” he said in a statement.
President of HNYF Sadon Blah said the idea of winter capital in Tura is not acceptable.
“Meghalaya being a small state, should be managed effectively without the need for shifting capitals”, Blah said.
He cited the example of the Indian Union being governed from Delhi without relocations.
He expressed concern over the potential consequences of the demand by stating that such attempts may create misunderstandings and mistrust among the tribal communities, undermining the unity and cohesion that is essential for harmonious governance.
