Public meeting called to end land dispute between Barato and Maitdein villages
JOWAI: A day after a mob from Barato village allegedly attacked residents of Maitdein village in West Jaintia Hills, top district police officials including the SP, the Addl. SP and a Magistrate visited the two villages on Tuesday.
A public meeting was called by the officials wherein they were urged to maintain peace and harmony.
Addl. SP Chemphang Syrti appealed to the villagers not to take the law in their hands. “If there is a land dispute, you should not take the law in your hands. There is law to provide justice. You should knock the door of the court,” he said.
Rangbah Shnong of Maitdein village, Darphi Sariang, lauded the prompt action taken by the district officials and the district police. “We thank the police and the district authority for their immediate action, else we would have lost some precious lives during the attack by the mob from the neighbouring village,” Sariang said.
At the same time, an emergency meeting of the Barato Darbor Shnong held on Tuesday expressed concern over the allegation of the Rangbah Shnong of Maitdein village.
“The Barato Dorbar Shnong strongly condemns the false allegation made by the Maitdein Rangbah Shnong as was reported in some newspapers,” a statement issued by the Barato Dorbar said.
“The problem was caused by the Dolloi of Shilliang-Myntang Elaka, Khamly Sariang, who blindly and wrongfully recommended that the forest areas which fall under the jurisdiction of Barato village was registered as forest land of Maitdein village a couple of years ago,” a statement signed by Medal Suchiang, headman, and Harvest Shadap, secretary, of Barato village said.
“Maitdein is not even a village since the Dorbar Shnong of Barato village had permitted some of the farmers to reside there,” the statement further added.
The Barato Dorbar also stated that they had proof of their claims in the form of records available since 1951 under the tenure of Samuel Bareh as the Dolloi and was confirmed by Khamly Sariang – the present Dolloi of the Elaka in 1990.
