Land no hurdle for entry-exit points in Ri Bhoi: KSU

NONGPOH: The North Khasi Hills unit of the Khasi Students’ Union (KSU) has condemned a report that stated that the locals’ refusal to part with land has delayed setting up entry and exit points in Ri Bhoi.
The Meghalaya Institute of Governance (MIG), in its social impact assessment (SIA) report, had stated that locals were against setting up of entry and exit points, which the union has been demanding for controlling influx of illegal migrants into the state.
The KSU unit president, Ferdynald K Kharkamni, told The Shillong Times on Sunday that a letter received from the deputy commissioner on March 19 said according to the SIA received on June 30, 2017, there was no objection to the proposed project for setting up a facilitation centre of the entry point at 19th Mile Pahammawlein village.“For the entry point at 19th Mile Pahammawlein village, so far there has been no objection from villagers, the village Dorbar and the traditional heads of Elaka Nongpoh and that the project had already received consent from the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) as well,” the union president informed.
Earlier, the state government through the Revenue Department had identified a land measuring 15.2606 acres at 19th Mile owned by Mac Lyngdoh Shira for the facilitation centre.
With regards to the exit point, Kharkamni said there should not be any problem if the state government is committed to implementing the same as the union had earlier suggested the DC for acquisition of land belonging to the Horticulture Orchard cum Nursery in Byrnihat falling under the disposal of the District Horticulture Officer, located at 13th Mile Tamulkuchi. KSU cried foul play behind the contradicting report of MIG and urged the state government to take immediate steps to expedite the project without further delay.