Group flags persistent poor connectivity, failure to deliver
Shillong, July 16: The Western Zone of the Jaintia National Council locked the Airtel office at Ladthalaboh on Thursday, accusing the telecom company of failing to deliver on its promise to improve network coverage in Jaintia Hills.
Led by zone president Hamehi Bamon, JNC members said the action was taken after months of inaction following a January 28 meeting with senior Airtel officials.
During that meeting, the council had flagged persistent poor connectivity, especially at Woodland Hospital in Sabah Muswang.
Airtel representatives then assured the JNC that a tower would be set up at Sabah Muswang within 3 to 4 months, once a site was finalized.
The JNC said the deadline has long passed but no work has started. Repeated attempts to seek updates, it added, drew only vague replies from the company with no firm timeline.
Calling it a lack of accountability, the JNC Western Zone said locking the office was the only way to force Airtel to give a clear commitment and begin work immediately.
The council cautioned that it will intensify its agitation if the company does not respond soon.
It stressed that stable connectivity is crucial for residents and for essential services like Woodland Hospital, which continues to face network problems.
