Shillong, July 20: Meghalaya chief minister Mukul Sangma was today greeted with placards by Hynñiewtrep Youth Council (HYC) activists as he reached Mawlai, the heartland of the Khasi community, to inaugurate the newly-created Mawlai community and rural development (C&RD) block at Mawlai Mawtawar.
The HYC activists showed Mukul and his team of ministers placards opposing a rail project and also demanded implementation of the inner-line permit (ILP) in the state to check influx.
One of the placards said: "Dr Mukul Sangma, we thank you for creating Mawlai C&RD block but we want more; we want you to stop railway projects in Hynñiewtrep land (Khasi and Jaiñtia region)."
Other placards carried messages such as "No ILP no rest" and "We want laws with strong teeth that can protect our land".
HYC president Donboklang Kharlyngdoh later told reporters that their objective was to remind the government not to neglect the 14-point demands put forth by the HYC before the government in February this year.
"As the government did not show any interest to discuss our demands, we have invited the chief minister and his cabinet colleagues to attend a meeting convened by the HYC on Saturday to debate on the 14-point demands, including the need to implement ILP in the state," he said.
The HYC threatened to agitate to make the "deaf government" hear if the ministers fail to turn up for the discussion. However, no untoward incident was reported today.
Later, during a programme at Mawtawar, Mukul unveiled a foundation stone for construction of the new Mawlai C&RD block office in the presence of urban affairs minister R.V. Lyngdoh, health minister Roshan Warjri and thousands of people who welcomed him at the gathering.
The chief minister also handed over the first work order of Rs 25 lakh to the headman of Mawlai Mawtawar for construction of a block office before inaugurating a temporary office.
In his address, Mukul took a jibe at critics for opposing his government on creation of new civil subdivisions besides community and rural development blocks despite "financial crunch".
Mukul said on many an occasion, the state government has been criticised for creating new districts, civil subdivisions and blocks.
Ridiculing his detractors, the chief minister said: "When we are running the government, they are getting headache. If they want to know how to run the government, they should learn from us. Money is coming because we are working hard."
Mukul said the election manifesto should be the guiding principle of the government for fulfilling aspirations of the people of the state.
Mawlai is the seventh new C&RD block and the 46th block in the state. It was carved out of Mylliem C&RD block in East Khasi Hills district. Mawlai block covers 24 villages, all within the Mawlai constituency.
