SHILLONG, April 18: People’s Democratic Front (PDF) acting president, Banteidor Lyngdoh, on Sunday said the state government needs to talk to the Defence Ministry directly to prevent conflicts with locals from snowballing into major problems.
“This is not the way the army personnel behave. Such incidents have happened many times and there should be a direct discussion between the state and the Defence Ministry,” he said. This was in reference to the recent squabble between the personnel of the 58 Gorkha Training Centre (GTC) and residents of Mawshbuit over a gate on the road to their village.
Lyngdoh rued the alleged harassment meted out to the public using the GTC gate to and from their village.
“If we cannot solvye this issue, it will become a big problem in the years to come and I feel that the best way is to either have a different road for the people,” he said.
The PDF leader said he has already had a discussion with Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma on the need to hold direct talks with the Defence Ministry.
“It (squabble) may be a minor issue now with four-five injured but we cannot take things lightly any more. Who will take responsibility if somebody dies?” he asked, while seeking a way of stopping the recurring problem.
Lyngdoh said the GTC personnel should not have shut the gate leaving the locals stranded when the village heads and the defence authorities had agreed on specific timing for the to-and-fro movement of the people.
The closure of the gate on April 12 led to a scuffle between the GTC personnel and the locals.
While the police said the incident was a result of the GTC personnel closing the gates, some Mawshbuit residents said it was a fallout of an argument between a civilian and a soldier earlier that day.
The defence authorities said some civilians were driving their vehicles too fast in an inebriated state.
East Khasi Hills Deputy Commissioner Isawanda Laloo has ordered a magisterial inquiry into the case and assured that the administration will address the problems faced by the locals because of the gate.
