Ri Bhoi villagers have ‘proof’ of BSF land acquisition

NONGPOH: Protesting villagers of Umtyrnga in Ri Bhoi said on Monday they have proof of the alleged deal between land agents and the Border Security Force (BSF) in which an area measuring 7,413 acre at Nangrabil was supposed to be handed over to the latter.
“Though we do not have land in these areas but our concern is that most of the agricultural land of our villagers falls under the proposed land to be acquired which was owned by the Raid Marwet, therefore we strongly protest this land acquisition,” said B Khongtyngkut, the headman of Umtyrnga.
The villagers held a meeting with pressure groups at Umtyrnga playground on Monday.
“The agents/landowners had illegally included land belonging to others as well in their map, which was supposed to be handed over to the BSF,” one of the villagers said during the meeting.
They further informed that the proposed move will affect hundreds of farmers from Umtyrnga village who are engaged in betel nut plantation as it is their only source of livelihood.
KSU North Khasi Hills District president Ferdynald Kharkamni, FKJGP NKH president B Dhar and RBYF general secretary B Marbaniang extended support to the villagers.