SHILLONG: East Khasi Hills Deputy Commissioner P.S Dkhar has directed defence authorities to stop construction at the catchment area in Lawsohtun till the survey of the area is complete.
The directive came after a joint meeting was convened here on Friday that was attended by local residents, MLA Sanbor Shullai and defence officials.
“I have told them (defence authorities) to stop construction work till the survey work in the area is completed and necessary maps are prepared,” Dkhar said.
A joint team of the State government, stakeholders and defence authorities are currently undertaking a survey in the area to get clarity on the issue.
According to Dkhar, once the survey is complete and maps are prepared, a solution to the problem can be found. “I called this meeting since I don’t want the issue to lead to a law and order problem,” he said.
Earlier, the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) had written to Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar on encroachment in Lawsohtun.
The issue cropped up again after the defence establishment in Shillong allegedly started constructing fences in the area.
The matter was taken up in the court and the Shillong bench of the Gauhati High Court, in 2007, directed the Catchment Areas Advisory Board to decide within 60 days from the date of judgment whether Lawsohtun should be declared as a catchment area.
