NST controversy continues

SHILLONG, JUNE 27: The controversy surrounding the New Shillong Township (NST) gets more controversial by the day as the Raid Nongkrem Lyngdoh P Lyngdoh claims that the agreement signed between the state government and the Mawpdang village is “illegal” and threaten to take the matter to court.

Lyngdoh told reporters at a news conference on Thursday that the Mawpdang village dorbar has violated the traditional customary rules that prohibits alienation of tribal lands and has even sidelined the traditional authoritieslike KHADC, dorbar of the syiem of Khyrim, Hima and the Khyriem Syiemship..

Lyngdoh informed that the Mawpdang village dorbar claimed that the village does not fall under the Raid Nongkrem and had decided to ahead with the agreement signed with the state government in July 1996 to part away with the land for the development of the new Shillong Township.

There are around seven villages under Sordar Mawpdang which are likely to be affected by the land acquisition for the new Shillong Township.

Lyngdoh felt that the Mawpdang Rangbah Shnong should have consulted the Dorbar of the Syiem of Khyrim and the KHADC before entering such agreement but failed to do so. He said this action is totally illegal and has affected the rights of the people on the community land.

The Lyngdoh had also petition the district administration on this issue but his petition was dismissed.

Backing Lyngdoh, Lyngskor of Hima Khyrim G Mylliemngap said, “The proposed land acquisition is also against the Supreme Court ruling which says that tribal lands cannot be alienated.” Asserting that they are not against any development, Mylliemngap said, “The intention of taking away the land is not clear and government has to come clear on this.” He said earlier the government was allowed to take some lands for the construction of the Shillong Bye Pass.

Mylliemngap also warned that they “would take the matter to the apex court if it is required since the acquisition of land  is totally a violation of the customary rights of the people. He also informed, “We have further urged the Syiem of Hima Khyrim to convene a meeting of all the six raids and summon the Sordar of Mawpdang to discuss on the entire controversy.”- By Our Reporter