By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: The Coordination Committee on International Border (CCIB) has demanded the immediate transfer of the Jaintia Hills Deputy Commissioner Tining Dkhar for going ahead with the payment of the land compensation despite a standing order of Government to suspend all the fencing activities along the Indo-Bangladesh international border.
“We have been informed that the Deputy Commissioner has gone ahead with the payment of the land compensation along Kuliang and Umkiang areas. This decision of the DC has come as a surprise since the Government has already issued a notification suspending all activities relating to the fencing of the border in 2007 especially in areas under adverse possession,” CCIB spokesperson GH Kharshanlor told reporters on Tuesday.
He further said that both Kuliang and Umkiang fall in areas under adverse possession.
It may be mentioned that after going through the report of the Coordination Committee on International Border Fencing (CCIBF) which was headed by former Deputy Chief Minister Dr Donkupar Roy during the previous MDA Government, former Chief Minister DD Lapang had issued a notification putting hold all activities relating to the fencing of the border till the time a fresh order is issued in this connection.
Kharshanlor said that they failed to understand why is the DC not respecting this notification of the Government.
“We strongly suspect there is connivance between him (Deputy Commissioner) and the NBCC on this payment of the land of compensation,” CCIB spokesperson said.
While criticizing the DC for not violating the Government earlier order, he said that the Government should immediately transfer Jaintia Hills DC for the overall interest of the people of the State.
Replying to a query, Kharshanlor said that they would soon write to the Chief Minister Dr Mukul Sangma and Chief Secretary WMS Pariat seeking clarification on this payment of land compensation even as demanding for the transfer of the DC.
Earlier, the CCIB had strongly opposed the proposed border fencing without the proper demarcation of the boundary.
While referring to the statement of Border Management Secretary AE Ahmed that the Centre is intending to construct the fencing through the zero line, CCIB member Hamlet Dohling that this not acceptable since it is difficult to establish the zero line without proper demarcation of the boundary.
“We would want that the fresh survey of the border is being taken before the boundary is being fenced,” Dohling told reporters here on Wednesday.
He said that the villagers residing along the villagers in the international border are also in favour for the fresh survey of the border.