Meghalaya: Mother of three sits on hunger strike demanding better roads

SHILLONG: A mother of three, Bindas Syiem, started an indefinite hunger strike on Thursday (June 06) in front of the secretariat, pressing for the immediate construction of the Nongpoh-Umden-Sonapur road in Ri Bhoi district of Meghalaya.

A resident of Umden in Ri Bhoi district of Meghalaya and a farmer by profession, Syiem vowed not to end her protest until the state government commits to fulfilling her demand.

Frustrated with unfulfilled electoral promises, Syiem voiced her discontent, saying, “Those who win and lose in the elections have promised to give us this road, but it turned out to be just a lie.”

“Because of this, I am totally frustrated given the fact that I personally had to face a lot of difficulties due to the condition of this road. Therefore, I feel that I have every right to demand a better road,” she said.

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Syiem mentioned that despite meeting with the executive engineer of PWD (Roads) and writing to the deputy commissioner, she found the responses unsatisfactory.

She stated that it is not her responsibility to seek clarification from the Meghalaya deputy chief minister in charge of PWD (Roads).

Syiem stated, “I am determined to proceed ahead with the protest. I will not leave from here till the government is ready to provide us with a better road.”

Syiem also noted that she had no intention of seeking support from others in her fight for improved road connectivity.