From Our Correspondent
NONGSTOIN: Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC) of West Khasi Hills District, JP Lakiang, on Wednesday conducted a spot enquiry to ascertain the facts of the land dispute between the Khasi and Nepali dwellers at Umwali in Langpih.
Speaking to The Shillong Times, Lakiang, who visited Langpih on the instruction of Home Minister Roshan Warjri, disclosed that about 25 Nepali residents of Umwali began constructing a kutcha road from Sawah Umchong locality under Umtap Village to Umwali and finally leading to Mawshikar road. However, no permission was sought from the Village Council or the Khasi residents through whose land the road was to pass through.
The Nepali residents allegedly damaged the paddy field of one Paulman Sohtun.
The ADC further stated that that the Headman of Umtap and Umwali – Jesralwel Kharsyiemlieh and Piusding Lyngdoh Marshillong respectively – alleged that the Nepalis had also forcefully seized the sacred grove of the Khasis (Law Sumar or Law Adong) in 2010.
Lakiang informed that the Nepalis of Umwali and Langpih were led by one Domare Chetri of Langpih on the direction of one Chokro Chetri of Langpih who usually resided at Boko, Assam.
Culprits would be arrested, Warjri assures Home Minister Roshan Warjri has assured that the culprits involved in the assault of two Khasi women at Langpih would be arrested.
“All possible efforts would be made to nab the culprit involved in the assault of the two women,” Warjri said while replying to a cut motion move by HSPDP legislator Ardent Miller Basaiawmoit in the Assembly on Wednesday.
She also informed that West Khasi Hills Superintendent of Police has submitted a report on the incident.
According to the report, the Home Minister said that a group of women of Umsawli village on April 13 had gone to stall the road construction by the Nepalese since the road was passing through their cultivable land.
According to her, it was stated in the report that during the skirmishes, there were few Nepalese who cut a tree which ultimately fell on the two women leading to injuries.
“Both the women were immediately rushed to Nongstoin Civil Hospital. As per the medical report, the two suffered minor injuries,” Warjri said.