Shillong, Aug 10: Chief minister Mukul Sangma was greeted with twin protests, as he inaugurated a new administrative unit at Ranikor in South West Khasi Hills District.

On the road towards the venue where he inaugurated a new administrative unit at Ranikor, activists of the Khasi Students’ Union (KSU) assembled to oppose the inauguration of the administrative unit as people wanted the existing Ranikor C&RD Block to be upgraded to a Civil Sub-division.

The other protest was carried out by members of the Hynñiewtrep Youth Council (HYC) who condemned the Mukul-led government for refusing to discuss the 14-point of demands in connection with the implementation of various anti-influx laws including the Inner Line Permit (ILP) system.

The HYC however did not object the inauguration of the new administrative unit at Ranikor.

“We protest the government’s decision to give this administrative unit in Ranikor because it has been a long pending demand of the people for upgradation of the block to a full-fledged civil sub-division and creation of a new block for Wahkaji-Umdohlun area,” KSU Ranikor Circle president Marcony Thongni told reporters.

He said that the government’s attitude in the distribution of development only reflected that it has failed to take into consideration all important aspects especially rural areas like Ranikor.

“We feel the inauguration of this administrative unit is just a political gimmick to fool the people ahead of the Assembly elections to be held next year,” he said.

Despite the protest, the chief minister laid the foundation for the construction of the Ranikor Administrative Unit office in the presence of PWD (Roads) minister, MM Danggo, who is also the MLA of Ranikor, and home minister, HDR Lyngdoh and others.

During the function, former KHADC chief Manstudy Nongrem, who is also the Chairman of the Civil Sub-Division Demand Committee, submitted a memorandum to the chief minister, demanding upgradation of the Ranikor block into a civil sub-division.

Speaking on the occasion, Sangma assured the committee that the government would examine its proposal and take a call at the right time.

He also spoke on the need to improve road infrastructure in rural areas of the state.

Danggo lauded the chief minister over the creation of the administrative unit.