Shillong, July 03: Standing firm with the demand to oppose the proposed dam on the River Khri in West Khasi Hills District, the Hynniewtrep Achik National Movement (HANM) convened a public meeting at Rambrai market on Tuesday.

The public meeting was to make the general public aware about the proposed damping of river Khri in West Khasi hills district and the effect it will cause after damping.

Addressing the gathering  Pyrshong M Jyrwa President KSU Rambrai Unit) asserted that the proposed dam would displace 5000 people of several villages. He questioned the govt as to where they intended to rehabilitate them. He added that it was the duty of the members of the KHADC to protect the lands of the Khasi people.

“The villages that the dam would affect are registered to the KHADC and it becomes their (KHADC members) duty to protect them from being snatch away,” Jyrwa asserted.

Besides, HANM President Lamphrang Kharbani lamented that most of the people in the state did not seem to care about the issue.

He said it surprised him that most people in the state did not care much when this issue came up. He added that only the people that faced the problem could fathom the intensity of the issue.

Meanwhile, Lamphrang assured the people that they would fight for against the dam and make sure that its implementation is ceased even if it meant at the cost of their lives. He added that freedom can be achieved not by words alone but requires action as well.

On the other hand the meeting unanimously resolved to submit a memorandum to the State Govt and the KHADC to oppose the construction of the proposed dam on the River Khri.(SP News)