Sordar in EKH faces heat over land deal with police

SHILLONG: A section of the residents of Diengpasoh in East Khasi Hills has urged the Police Department to discontinue the construction of police station in the area.
The residents alleged that the Sordar Shnong of Diengpasoh, Gordon Wahlang, has given away the community land of Diengpasoh to the Police Department without consulting the locals at the Dorbar Shnong meeting.
Addressing a press conference on Wednesday, Sidramon Mukhim, a resident of Diengpasoh, said the construction is progressing as “Mukul (Chief Minister Mukul Sangma) is in a hurry to inaugurate it on October 10”.
She added that on September 18, the residents noticed some police personnel at the construction site.
“We asked Wahlang about the matter but he did not give a clear answer to how the Police Department got hold of the land. We met some officers from the department who told us that they were able to acquire the land through a gift deed given by the Sordar,” Mukhim said.
She said the executive committee of the Dorbar Shnong had requested Wahlang to convene a meeting but he did not pay heed.
“The executive committee has nothing to do with the matter. The members of the executive committee have asked us, women and young people, to go forward with the matter. We are not against setting up of the police station but the agreement should come through a proper channel,” she added.
In 2016, the then Sordar Maswell Kharumnuid had informed the people and consulted them over the NOC asked by the department for the land.
“At the Dorbar meeting, the residents unanimously disagreed to give away land without any compensation,” Mukhim said.
On the other hand, the residents alleged that MDC of Sohryngkham PS Syiem was seen with police personnel and questioned his role in the issue. “He is an MDC. He should protect the people and their land,” Mukhim added.