Daiaphira Kharsati
SHILLONG:
Trucks carrying boulders stood in line as they waited to transport limestone to Bangladesh along the Ichamati-Majai road under Shella constituency, causing residents to rue that the plying of trucks has led to the complete destruction of roads.
An exasperated resident of Shella said, “The main issue is the road here.” The journey on Ichamati-Majai-Shella road is torturous and back-breaking for anyone who traverses it, despite some black-topped stretches that remain in good condition.
With elections set to be held on February 27, localities nestled in Ichamati, Dhorom, Sohlap, Saikarap and Mustoh were devoid of campaigning and electioneering, with nary a flag in sight. A few hoardings belonging to National People’s Party (NPP) and Trinamool Congress (TMC) candidates were propped.
Shella constituency will witness two women candidates in the electoral fight: Grace Mary Kharpuri from NPP and Arena Hynñiewta from Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
The opinion of the people is divided, however. One resident said, “There seems to be a fight between the bom (drum of the United Democratic Party) and the NPP,” while another said, “The fight is triangular between UDP, NPP and BJP.”
At Sohlap, a shopkeeper added, “Yes, the candidates do come often here.” Another teacher who works in the area said, “The people here do not reveal much about whom they will extend their support to. They are rather silent.”
On most days, the dirt roads throw dust into the atmosphere, which coats all the surroundings and hangs in the air. But the rain on Wednesday night settled the dust into a goo of mud, which came as a mixed blessing.
Photul Debnath, a 56-year-old cowherd tending cows at a distance. He earns a paltry Rs 200 to look after the cattle. He says the dirt road’s dilapidated condition was the result of trucks plying along it.
“Takleef to hai (It certainly is cumbersome),” he adds, giving a glimpse into how residents have become used to terrible conditions.
A tomato-seller, Gopi Biswas, from Kalatek joined the conversation as well: “We have no job card here, although we are voters of this place!”
When asked about the Ichamati violence in 2020 that led to the death of Lurshai Hynñiewta, a member of the Khasi Students’ Union, both men said that the people of the region have lived in peace and harmony since tensions simmered down.
He added that, while some sections of the Bengali community there do have job cards, others do not and struggle. Both Debnath and Biswas have children that go to school nearby, but they add that Ichamati has no proper health infrastructure or roads.
Asked if they have met any of the candidates, they said Balajied Synrem from United Democratic Party had held a meeting at Ichamati.
On their way to Sohlap, a group of Garo women from Talia, where Garos form a majority, carried duck, local chicken and kha Bangla, a fish bought from Bangladesh at 200 taka and sold in the Shella market at Rs 200.
Sonilo M Marak, one of the women, also remarked about the poor roads in the region, while a bystander complained that the government almost never repaired damaged roads. A passing driver said the dilapidated Ichamati-Shell road forces them to take an alternate route via Mustoh-Laitkynsew.