Shillong Feb 16: Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) candidate from Mawhati constituency Tyngshain Lapang said that taking care of the farming community is one of his top priorities if elected as MLA in this Assembly election.

“Around 80 per cent of the population in the constituency are farmers and we will ensure that they are being given due attention,” Lapang told reporters at a press conference held here on Thursday.

Stating that the farming community has been neglected by the leaders who have come and go in the constituency, he however said as of today, most of the candidates are also giving various promises which circle around developmental works like roads, water and electricity.

“But according to me such developmental works are not new and they will be implemented as they are part of the programmes of the government,” he said.

He also assured that he would ensure setting up of cottage industries and an examination centre for students of the area to appear their board’s exams, which according to him has been sidelined for many years.

Lapang is one of the nine candidates contesting the seat, which was represented by former legislator Julius Kitbok Dorphang, who is lodging in the Shillong District Jail for raping a minor girl.

Dorphang is also set to seek re-election in the February 27 Assembly elections.

Asked, Lapang said that it would be difficult for the former legislator to be re-elected. “The claims made by his (Dorphang) supporters that many still want him as an MLA is wrong because people of the constituency want change to come,” he said.