SHILLONG: The alleged harassment by Air Force authorities preventing people from entering the Shillong Peak and the plight of villagers of Pomlakrai was raised in the Assembly on Tuesday by HSPDP legislator Ardent Basaiawmoit following which Chief Minister Mukul Sangma assured that the matter along with the issue of gates closed in parts of the city by the Defence forces will be taken up with the concerned authorities.
Moving a zero hour notice, Basaiawmoit said that the villagers have been facing harassment due to the closure of gate by the Defence personnel at Pomlakrai.
The Defence forces should be relocated, he added.
The legislator also pointed out that the situation in Shillong was far different from Pathankot which was intruded by Pakistan terrorists.
While also referring to the news reports appeared in The Shillong Times on January 7 and 14 respectively this year, the Chief Minister, in his reply said that it is a fact that the Air Force authority at Laitkor Station has closed down the gate since January 2 as a high alert was sounded in all key installations in the country after the Pathankot Air Base attack and the level of security had been beefed-up in the station.
As part of the country wide process to tighten security in defence installations, entry to the Shillong peak, which is accessible only through the Air Force base, has been restricted post the Pathankot Air Force Base attack on January 2.
“The Army authority also has since debarred entry of pedestrians into defence areas in the city and the footpath from Anjalee Complex to Butcher Road, the footpath from Pine Walk Area to Butcher Road (near Bawri Netralaya) and the footpath from Pine Walk area to Police Bazaar have all been closed down,” the Chief Minister said.
“As per records, there are about 250-300 vehicles passing through the Air Force Station visiting the view point on a daily basis. The Air Force Police does not have enough man power to check each and every person, bags, vehicles, and others passing through their gates,” the Chief Minister informed.
The Chief Minister said that the Station Commander had made a request to depute Police patrol along the 5th Mile up to Air Force Gate No.2 and from Laitkor to Gate No. 1 especially during the evening time and had also proposed to explore the possibilities of a two tier checking of tourists at the gates.
The first tier security checking is proposed to be done by the state police and the second tier by the Air Force Police.
According to the Chief Minister, the Air Force Authority also informed that the gate would be opened only after the current situation subsides and entry through the gate would be restricted till such time.
At present, the gate is opened on restricted hours for tourists to enable the vendors to sell their items.
“The Air Force is ready to provide assistance to the shop vendors and the Station Commander also expressed concern about their well being after the closure of the gate,” the Chief Minister said.
Regarding the alleged harassment of the residents of Pomlakrai village by the Air Force authority, it has been reported that the Army Authority has constructed the boundary wall of its area for security reason and the temporary gate, which was used by the villagers as a short-cut, has been made part of the newly constructed boundary wall.
“The villagers are allowed to use the main gate for all purposes. They have to take a detour of about 600-700 metres and in the main gate there is a sentry to monitor the daily entrances and exits by the local residents,” the Chief Minister said.
“The Deputy Commissioner and the Superintendent of Police, East Khasi Hills are
being instructed to engage with the local Air Force Authorities and find out ways and means to ensure that no undue inconvenience is caused to the residents of the area adjoining the Station and to see that visiting tourists are not unduly harassed or subjected to avoidable inconveniences,” the Chief Minister added.
