Pressure group criticises demolition of shops in Ri Bhoi

NONGPOH: The Hynniewtrep People’s Federation (HPF) has strongly condemned and criticised the Ri Bhoi District Administration over demolition of around 20 local shops at Umiam in Ri Bhoi on January 31.
It may be mentioned that the district administration in the presence of the district magistrate and police had, on January 31, demolished around 20 shops owned by the local people at Umiam stating that they were illegally constructed on the land belonging to the Meghalaya Energy Corporation Limited (MeECL).
Speaking to media persons, president of the federation A Nongrum said that it is very unfortunate that the district administration, without issuing proper notices to the shop owners, went ahead with the demolition drive.
“This action on the part of the government clearly shows that we, as tribal people, no longer enjoy our rights in our own land. They should have issued proper notices in advance before conducting such drive and also to give some time to the shop owners to vacate,” Nongrum said.
He further stated that the government should have also done the same thing at Harijan Colony in Shillong including shops run by non-tribals near Motphran as those were also illegal.