From Our Correspondent
NONGSTOIN: Assam Government once again flexed its muscle at the disputed Langpih territory by voicing its opposition to construction of houses by Khasi villagers, terming them as illegal.
On Sunday, a team of Assam officials led by SK Roy, Deputy Commissioner of Kamrup and Superintendent of Police PS Mahanta visited Langpih to inspect some ‘illegal construction’ by Khasi residents.
R Muthu, SP of West Khasi Hills along with the EAC of West Khasi Hills was also present at Langpih.
During the visit the Assam officials asserted that three houses belonging to three Khasi villagers – S Hoojon, Phrangsnar Swangre and Clebor Samakha – were illegal.
It may be noted that recently a team of Assam Police had forcibly stopped the construction of the houses.
The Kamrup DC stated that every house constructed by Khasi villagers should have prior permission from authorities of Kamrup district.
He also said that construction of the houses would be allowed only after a decision is taken at the DC-level meeting to be held soon.
Meanwhile, Assam Government deployed additional police forces at Langpih following alleged illegal construction of community hall, police post and bazaar by ‘encroachers’, a PTI report from Rangiya, Assam added.
“Additional forces have been sent to the area to defuse any tension and also to ensure that no illegal construction activity is carried out by encroachers in the site,” Kamrup Rural Deputy Commissioner SK Roy said on Monday.
Recently, Assam-Meghalaya Border Suraksha Samiti organised a 500-hour road blockade against alleged encroachment by Meghalaya on land claimed by Assam.
Locals also alleged that government signboards in the area had been vandalised by the encroachers to put up new signboards identifying the area as being located in West Garo Hills district of Meghalaya.
