By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: A Joint Action Committee consisting of the San Shnongs near Shillong Airport at Umori, the Greater Mawlai People’s Union, and Mawlai Pyllun will be formed to oppose the decision of the Airport Authority of India (AAI) and the State Government to alienate the villages from the rest of the district by closing down road leading to these villages.
In a meeting held at Madan Mawkhar, Ri Bhoi District on Monday, Mawlai MLA FS Cajee said after the constitution of the committee, a resolution will be passed to the State PWD department and the AAI to come up with a clear cut solution to this problem.
The San Shnongs which include—Madan Mawkhar, Umrynjah, Umden Umsaitprah, Umden Mission and Umden Arka have alleged that the AAI and the State Government through the PWD Department has decided to forcefully close down the road without the knowledge of these villages.
“The AAI went ahead with the construction without consulting the Dorbar Shnong and this is like forcefully taking away the rights of the people”, said Rangbah Shnong of Umrynjah.
These villages which fall under the Umroi and Mawlai constituencies have asked the state government to reconsider its decision of closing down the road as it will have an impact on the villagers .
It was learnt that the road leading to these villages passes through the AAI and as such it was noticed that the AAI has put up walls and gates to stop villagers passing by this road as it falls under its jurisdiction.
The AAI officials, earlier had promised that a footpath would be built alongside the wall for the comfort of the villagers but till date no footpath has been constructed.
“The PWD roads which is supposed to look into the betterment of the roads in the village areas has discarded its duty by accepting the AAI’s decision to close down the road”, lamented the Rangbah Shnong of Umden Arka.
It was further learnt that the AAI for the second came with another request to the Dorbar Shnongs to close down the roads and promised to provide an alternative road for them, but the Dorbar Shnongs agreed to grant their request only after an alternative road is complete but discarding the approval of the Dorbar Shnong, the AAI went ahead with the wall and gates construction.
“Affecting one village in this area means affecting all the five villagers and we will not stand such ignorance as cutting the roads means cutting our food supply especially during the market days (Sngi Iew)”, said one senior citizen of this area.
The villagers along with the land owners of these areas has join hands to oppose the State Government and the AAI to move ahead with the construction and will not at any cost let their rights be suppressed.