From our Staff  Correspondent

SHILLONG, Aug 3: The South West Khasi Hills district inaugurated on Friday. During the formal inauguration of the new district carved out from West Khasi Hills district, the Adviser to the Chief Minister and former chief minister DD Lapang started a public debate on the importance of agitations to the day to day functioning of the government.

Lapang urged the parents and senior citizens to discourage their own wards from resorting to such agitation that hampers development.

“If you want to chase Assamese intruders from our land, you cannot close shop,” stated Lapang while alluding to the agitation path taken by some NGOs to pressurize the government to solve the inter-State border row. The former chief minister also said closing of schools, blocking of the roads, office picketing do not help the government to find out a solution to any issue confronting the State.

Chief Minister Mukul Sangma, in his address as the chief guest, talked about the multifaceted initiatives undertaken by his government to address the problems confronting the State. Terming the agitations as unproductive activities, Sangma stated, “When we have bandhs and office picketing, all of us get a paid holiday.” “Let there be a practical partnership between the government and public to develop our State,” stated Mukul Sangma, even as he dwelt on the number of initiatives undertaken by the government. Stating that the MUA government is committed to bring the administration closer to the people, the Chief Minister said creating four new districts is part of his government’s endeavor. South West Khasi Hills is one of the fourth districts that have been created.

Touching on the issue of influx raised by various NGOs in the State, Mukul Sangma said the government is aware of this issue but this again it can be checked with the joint help of the government, the traditional institutions and NGOs.

Comparing the new South West Khasi Hills district to a new born baby, Sangma said it needs care and urged the people of the district to provide the same.

The inauguration of the new district was attended by two deputy chief ministers, Cabinet ministers and a host of MLAs and top officials including the Chief Secretary and the DGP.