Of the nine candidates in the fray for the Shillong LS seat, only BJP's Thrang Hok Ryngad has held two meetings here. Hardly 10 people attended one of them!

Shopkeeper Alfred Lyngdoh feels this indicates the public resentment against yet another elections. ``People have lost faith in parties and politicians,'' he says.

Student Manoj Das says he is no longer interested in what politicians promise. ``I am more keen to know what they do in power. And for that I don't have to attend a meeting or read manifestoes,'' he says. People are looking for a government that would improve their living conditions.

The people in the West Khasi Hills recently chased UDP chief and Assembly Speaker E K Mawlong who had come tohold a meeting for their LS candidate, S D Khongwir. People here have decided that unless the UDP and the Congress fulfilled their demand for reopening saw mills closed since an SC ban on movement and felling of timber, they won't allow any poll rallies of the two.

-- Tilak Rai