Govt receives four complaints against illegal encroachment by defence establishments
By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: HSPDP legislator Ardent Miller Basaiawmoit has urged upon the State Government to shift the various defence establishment from the residential areas.
“The common citizens of the State are facing various hardships due to illegal encroachment of the defence establishment,” Basaiawmoit said while moving his cut motion in the Assembly on Wednesday.
Stating that the encroachment by the defence authorities is not a new issue, he said that the defence authorities have continuously been encroaching into civilian land from time to time.
“This problem of encroachment would continue as long as the defence establishment is not shifted from the residential areas in the city. I request the Government to take initiative to shift all defence establishments outside of Shillong because these problems will not be solved,” he said.
While referring to the encroachment of the Assam Rifles at Umiew-Pamlakrai, Basaiawmoit said that the Assam Rifles have not respected the agreement and also did not pay any attention to the instructions given by the Deputy Commissioner not to erect a gate.
“Despite that order, the Assam Rifles constructed a sliding gate which they have not removed till date,” Basaiawmoit said.
In his reply, Deputy Chief Minister Prof RC Laloo said that the Government would have to examine the possibilities to shift defence establishments outside Shillong.
“I cannot make any assurance in this regard,” Prof Laloo said.
Meanwhile, he informed that the Government has received several complaints on the illegal encroachment of the Defence authorities into the civilian areas.
While replying to the question raised by HSPDP legislator Ardent Miller Basaiawmoit during the Question Hour in the Assembly on Wednesday, Prof Laloo, who is charge of Revenue and Disaster Management, said that the Government has in fact received four specific complaints from the various local Dorbar Shnong on the illegal encroachment of the defence authorities.
According to him, the complaints received by the Government are from Jyntah village, Dorbar Shnong of Lapalang, joint action committee, Laitkor Peak, and Rangbah Shnong of Umiew Pamlakrai.
“We are examining the various complaints which have brought to light the illegal encroachment of the defence authorities,” Deputy Chief Minister said.
Giving the details on the complaints received by the Government, Prof Laloo informed that the Government received a complaint from residents of Jyntah village on January 2011 on the alleged encroachment by the Assam Regimental Centre (ARC) into the village land.
“On the basis of this complaint, a magistrate on February 8, 2011 conducted a detailed inquiry into this matter. Based on the inquiry, it was found that there are claims and counter claims of the ownership of land,” the Deputy Chief Minister said.
Stating that the matter needs to be further investigated, he said that the process of fresh inquiry have already been initiated with the process of identification of the land to ascertain whether the ARC has really encroached into the village land.
In relation to the complaints filed by the Dorbar Shnong of Lapalang, Prof Laloo said that a case has been filed against the Commandant of 58 GTC in the court of Assistant Deputy Commissioner, Shillong, which is pending for disposal.
Prof Laloo, however, informed that the Court has given an order on April 5 for a spot inspection in the presence of the parties concerned.
On the issue of encroachment at Laitkor Peak the Deputy Chief Minister informed that the Executive Engineer, PWD, Road NH, Executive Engineer PWD Shillong Bypass has submitted a report of the proposal for construction of alternative roads to Shillong Peak View Point adjacent to the approaching road on IAF land.
“Spot inspection was conducted to examine the feasibility of the proposed project. No objection certificate was issued by the Station Commandant 509 SUAF, Air Force Station Laitkor Peak in the letter dated August 2011,” Prof Laloo said.
Meanwhile, at Umniew Pamlakrai on February 11 a petition was received from the headman of Umniew Pamlakrai, at Lad Nongkrem and lew Pamtiah regarding construction of sliding gate across the PWD road at Umniew Pamlakrai by the Assam Regiment Department.
The Deputy Chief Minister said that immediate spot inspection was conducted by the Executive Engineer PWD Road NH, Bypass division and reports have been submitted.
“Accordingly, order was issued by the Deputy Commissioner, Shillong to the Lt. Colonel, Director General, Assam Rifles, Shillong, stating that the sliding gate should be removed within April 12 and further report is still awaited,” Prof Laloo said.