Mawpat forest land deal row
SHILLONG: The Hima Mylliem has claimed that none of the Church bodies, barring a couple, came forward to meet the Myntris of Hima Mylliem despite the end of June 30 deadline for submitting land documents related to the Mawpat forest deal.
The Church bodies had requested the Hima Mylliem to provide 30 days time to enable them to submit the land documents in order to provide information about the amount involved in the purchase of the land.
Speaking to reporters, Myntri in charge of Finance, B. Nongneng Shanpru said that the Church bodies had requested for a deadline in the month of May to hand over the photocopy of the documents to the Hima Mylliem besides information on the Myntris involved in the deal and the amount paid to them.
“Only Church of God, Nongmynsong has submitted the documents even though it did not reveal the amount of money and the Myntris involved. On the other hand Ri Bhoi Presbyterian Synod revealed that Rs 6 lakh was paid to Myntri Ryntathiang along with Myntri K Langstieh,” Myntri Shanpru claimed.
It may be mentioned that the Church bodies had alleged in a meeting that they had handed over money amounting to lakhs of rupees as an act of gratitude to the Myntris for the surreptitious land deal at Mawpat.
“The Church authorities at Ri-Bhoi in a letter stated that they had acquired the Mawpat land in the year 2012 but the documents revealed that the land measuring 20,000 sq. ft was acquired in 2010,” he added.
As per the documents available with the Hima Mylliem, Potternet had acquired a 10,000 sq.ft plot of land; however, questions were raised as to the year in which the deal was made, as 2010 was overwritten as 2012.
The indifference of the Church bodies leading to a delay in the second meeting is not being taken too well by the Hima Mylliem which wants to speed up the work.
Meanwhile, the land deal was different with the Seng Khasi which acquired the biggest share of over 174309 Sq ft (4 acre) of land at a meager sum of Rs 2000 on March 2014 while Church bodies had to pay lakhs of rupees.
In the documents handed over to the Hima, it was found that the Rs 2000 was given to the then Syiem of Hima Mylliem Latho Manik Syiem, Myntri K Langstieh, and PT Sawkmie, Deputy CEM KHADC.
Meanwhile, one of the churches, Christ Tabernacle Church, has asked for the Rs 6 lakh to be returned stating that they had nothing to do with the plot hatched by a few tainted Myntris.
On the other hand, believers of the Catholic Church, Mawlai expressed surprise over the land deal as the “Church leaders gave a vague information on the issue”.