SHILLONG, April 21: The United Democratic Party (UDP) on Wednesday said that the 58 Gorkha Training Centre (GTC) has been “illegally occupying” the PWD road and suggested it to relocate its gate leading to Mawshbuit village.
“The GTC has been illegally occupying the PWD road leading to Mawshbuit village since 1984 by erecting the gate across the road and harassing the public, particularly the public carriers and people of Mawshbuit village,” UDP chief adviser, BM Lanong, said in a statement here.
According to him, people have to shuttle to and fro through the gate, facing immense military protocols.
On the other hand, the other two regiments — the Assam Regiment Centre and the Assam Rifles — have been there since decades and have their gates erected at their respective entry points, Lanong stated.
He said that the same goes with the Army and Air Force at 101 area, Upper Shillong, with no army-civilian tussle being reported but only traffic snarls.
“It is not understood why the GTC has occupied public property and keeps harassing the civilians illegally, which sparked off into a recent law and order situation, thereby disgracing the image of the GTC in public,” UDP chief adviser stated. Lanong has requested the GTC to retreat from public thoroughfare and set its gate within its property, failing which the government will have to intervene for public interest.
Last week, a squabble had reportedly broken out between personnel of 58 Gorkha Training Centre (GTC) and locals, which was later resolved with the intervention from the government. It was alleged that the fracas broke out after the residents of Mawshbuit were stranded outside the army gate in view of an argument between a civilian and an army jawan In its wake, the political fraternity had also strongly reacted to the issue, with some demanding crackdown on the personnel while others hoping for a permanent solution.
During a recent meeting, it was resolved that immediate steps will be taken by 58 GTC to ease the difficulties faced by commuters.
It was also decided that a coordination committee comprising a senior magistrate, police officer, adjutant and village representatives will be constituted, which will provide quick and mutual resolution from time to time.
