NONGPOH, Jan 13: Nearly a week after the issue of alleged illegal construction of a transit camp by Assam State Transport Corporation (ASTC) at Khanapara was raised by a local body from Ri Bhoi, a delegation of the Ri Bhoi District Congress Committee (RBDCC) inspected the site on Wednesday to get firsthand information on the matter.
The transit camp, which is worth Rs 4.65 crore, is being built at Khanapara area which falls under the jurisdiction of the Syiem (traditional head) of Raid Marwet, Ri Bhoi.
The Congress committee leaders expressed concern over the construction of such a structure in the territory of Meghalaya without the permission of the traditional head of Raid Marwet and Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC).
Speaking to media persons here, Mayralborn Syiem, president of RBDCC and Nongpoh MLA, who was accompanied by Umroi MLA, George B Lyngdoh, and other party leaders, said that the party is concerned over the increasing encroachment by the Assam government into the territories of Ri Bhoi.
The inspection unearthed that almost 70 to 80 per cent of the construction work of the camp has been completed, but the Meghalaya government has no knowledge about it, Syiem informed.
Stating that the party possesses all the details to prove that the site of the transit camp belongs to Meghalaya, the MLA said that the party will soon meet Meghalaya Chief Minister, Conrad K Sangma, to apprise him of the matter and also discuss issues related to the border areas in Ri Bhoi.
Meanwhile, the Ri Bhoi District Congress Committee handed over a letter to Ri Bhoi Deputy Commissioner, RM Kurbah, urging her to immediately halt the construction work of the transit camp.