SHILLONG: The residents of Jyntah, which is located on the outskirts of Shillong, have accused the Indian Army’s Assam Regiment of harassment in the wake of after the Army authorities blocking two bridges with barbed wires forcing the people to walk across the river, Wah Umkhen.
The helpless residents of Jyntah were furious at the sudden move of the Army to block the bridge constructed over the Wah Umkhen which the locals call Jingkieng saw.The bridges were constructed in the British times. Another cement bridge was also blocked.
The river Umkhen divides Happy Valley, which falls under Nongkrem constituency and Jyntah, which falls under Mawrynkneng constituency.
The blocking of the bridges forced the locals to cross the filthy river in which garbage dump were strewn all over.
Headman of Jyntah, Arestar Sohtun said, “The harassment from the Indian Army is too much. It has been one week now that the Army have not allowed us to use the bridge. It is disheartening to see children take off their shoes before walking on the dirty water and old women crossing the river carrying loads of commodities on their backs.”
“For now, we have to wait till the PWD builds a bridge for us. People were forced to go back home if the river gets too dangerous to cross especially during heavy rainy season,” he said.