SHILLONG, Aug 5: Months after locals and personnel of 58 Gorkha Training Centre (GTC) at Mawshbuit engaged in a squabble, leading to the GTC allegedly shutting the gates which stranded the residents, KHADC chairman and Sohryngkham MDC, Pyniaid Sing Syiem, called on Union Minister of State (MoS) for Defence, Ajay Bhatt, in New Delhi on Thursday, seeking relocation of the gate of 58 GTC, presently located at Mawshbuit.
In a letter to the Union MoS, Syiem apprised the former of the problems faced by the locals of Mawshbuit due to the purported harassment meted out by the defence personnel.
Informing the minister that there is a PWD road connecting Shillong city with Mawshbuit, which runs through the 58 GTC campus, he added, “This road, constructed by the PWD, had been used by the public with no restrictions whatsoever from the 58 GTC. But surprisingly in 1983-84, the army constructed a gate called ‘DRONA CHARYA’ on this road without getting any permissions or no-objection certificate from the State PWD authorities.”
Pointing out that initially there was no problem, Syiem, however, alleged that the personnel manning the gate later started to harass public by inspecting them and their vehicles on the pretext of security purpose.
He alleged that the GTC personnel manning the gate had gone to the extent of using abusive language notwithstanding the presence of women and elders. “It will be proper to shift or dismantle the check gate and instead construct a wall on either side of the said road as done by the 101 Area so that the public can move and commute freely without any hindrance or inconvenience,” Syiem said.
Following the fracas which occurred on April 12, East Khasi Hills Deputy Commissioner Isawanda Laloo had even ordered a magisterial inquiry and assured that the administration will address the problems faced by locals due to the presence of the defence gate in the area.
A meeting was also held at the DC’s office which was attended by the Rangbah Shnong of Mawshbuit, defence authorities and the district administration to iron out the differences. Members of pressure groups like KSU, FKJGP and HYC had also attended the meeting.
Defending the accusations against them, the GTC had claimed that some civilians were in an inebriated state on April 12 when the fracas broke out and were driving their vehicles at high speed.
However, the Rangbah Shnong later refuted the charges and said that these comments were an attempt by the defence authorities to hide their faults.
