Shillong, Jul 6: The tug of war over the setting up of the office of Mawlai community and rural development block, led to the creation of separate block at Mawlai and Mawpat.

Earlier, Chief Minister, Mukul Sangma had announced the creation of Mawlai C&RD Block by carving out of Mylliem C&RD Block, East Khasi Hills district.

However the government could not inaugurate the office of Mawlai C&RD Block, since the people of Mawlai constituency demanded that the office should be located within Mawlai area, while there was also a demand that the office of Mawlai block should locate at Mawpat under Pynthorumkhrah constituency.

Finding it difficult to satisfy only one side, Chief Minister Mukul Sangma on Thursday announced that Mawlai and Mawpat be two separate C&RD Blocks by carving out of Mylliem C&RD Block.

Mylliem C&RD Block covers as many as four Assembly constituencies in Shillong city with a population of nearly three lakhs.

Earlier the village Dorbar of Mawlai Mawtawar had donated a plot around three acres at Mawtawar. However, the Mawlai Town Dorbar along with Mawlai MLA, E. Syiemlieh, had asked the state government to set up the office of Mawlai block at Mawroh without ensuring the availability of land.

With Mawlai and Mawpat carving out of Mylliem C&RD Block, the number of newly created blocks have risen to seven. The total number of C&RD Blocks in the state now has increased from 39 to 46.

The other newly created C&RD Blocks, apart from Mawlai and Mawpat include, Bhoirymbong in Ri-Bhoi district, Demdema in West Garo Hills, Rerapara in South West Garo Hills, Bajengdoba in North Garo Hills and Sohiong in East Khasi Hills.