By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: A minor tussle erupted between local villagers and the Indian Air Force authorities on Thursday when local residents of Pomlakrai village led by Nongkrem UDP legislator Ardent Basaiawmoit forcefully stopped construction work for widening of a road near the Air Force Station at Laitkor.
The villagers claimed that the IAF was intending to encroach on the village land by widening the road.
Later, speaking to reporters, the local legislator alleged that the IAF authorities had not notified him before carrying out the construction for widening the road.
“This widening of the road is only a starting point. At a later stage they will construct a boundary wall and erect gates and prevent the villagers from engaging in farming activities in their own land,” Basaiawmoit claimed.
Following the incident, Air Force official rushed to the stop to take stock of the situation.
They also held a conversation with Basaiawmoit along with the villagers but it was inconclusive.
Air Force Group Captain M Mishra maintained that the PWD road, where the work is being carried out, was handed over to the Air Force in 1965 by the then Assam government. “We have documents to prove that the 1. 5-km road belongs to us,” Mishra added.
The villagers, on their part, maintained that the road and the adjoining land had always been owned by the villagers.
Meanwhile, the IAF official claimed that additional construction work at the cost of Rs 50 lakh was to ensure that the road is widened from the present 3.5 metres to 5 metres for the convenience of the people and the tourists.
Following widening of the road, IAF is also planning to put up streetlights for the benefit of the local people.
The Nongkrem legislator, however, demanded a written assurance from the Air Force authorities that they would not construct any boundary wall or gates along the road after widening the road.
The Air Force official also allayed fears of the villagers that the identity cards provided to them earlier was meant for the sake of security since the Air Force Laitkor Station houses a signal unit.
“We will not disturb the sanctity of the place and at the same time we are committed to providing all facilities to the villagers,” the IAF official added.
It may be mentioned that recently in a similar incident, the IAF had to halt some construction work following protests by the local villagers. The matter was then referred to the East Khasi Hills district administration which allowed the Air Force to go ahead with the construction.