SHILLONG, JUN 11: Pressure groups and around twenty traditional heads on Tuesday has given the state government two-week “deadline” to stop the acquisition of community lands in Raid Tynring and Mawpdang under Hima Khyriem Syiemship in East Khasi hills district for the proposed setting up of the New Shillong Township (NST) or face agitation.
The deadline was served to the government during a public meeting held on Tuesday at Diengpasoh village – one of the affected villages.
Hundreds of villagers, traditional chiefs from more than twenty villages besides leaders ofKSU, FKJGP, CSWO and HNYF and attended the meeting.
“We have unanimously resolved to demand the government to immediately halt its decision to acquire the community lands within two week.” KSU Mawryngkneng president Wanlambok Kharsati told reporters after the day-long meeting.
The demand came after the state government issued a notification on May 17 of the decision to acquire over 2000 acres which falls under community lands.
Speakers at the meeting expressed their opposition to the propose move of the state government to “snatch away” peoples’ land and livelihoods in the name of development and creation of the New Shillong Township which they termed as “not acceptable”.
According to the protesters taking away community lands for setting up the New Shillong Township will deny the indigenous tribal people of their right to livelihood and gainful employment through agriculture which they said is a clear violation of constitutional guarantees and safeguards.”
Saying that the decision to acquire land was a violation of land tenure system, Kharsati said, “This move clearly shows that the government wants to have a upper hand on the lands so that it can lease out to outside companies and not to ease the congestion.”
Pointing out that residential colony would also be set up to accommodate a population of 2 lakhs in the proposed NST, Kharsati questioned the government from where the government is intending to bring such a figure when the population of these villages is less than 80,000.
The protestors also argued that most of the villagers are farmers and depends on these lands for cultivation. Kharsati said, “It is useless for the government to bring development at the cost of the people and farmers livelihood.”
Social activist Angela Rngad asked the villagers not to fall prey to the cheap promises and meagre compensation made by the government in the name of development. She said it is the legitimate rights of every village to get access to all kinds of development.
“If the government says that with the coming of a new township it will bring development in the area, then it is misleading the people,” Rngad thundered.
Mawkdup headman W Nongdhar said, “We as traditional institutions are strongly opposed to the decision of the government to take away our rights over our lands.” He accused the government or even failing to consult them about its proposal to set up the new Shillong Township.”
“If government fails to comply with our demand, we will not hesitate to take the matter to its logical end.” Nongdhar threatened.- By Our Reporter
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