Shift CRPF camp out of Mawlai: Headmen

SHILLONG, Aug 16: A delegation of nine headmen from Mawlai Community and Rural Development reminded the government of the need to shift the temporary CRPF camp from a piece of locality land belonging to the Arts and Culture Department.
They met Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma and Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong and submitted a memorandum in this regard on Monday.
Sangma had discussed the issue briefly with the Inspector-General of the CRPF, who requested the state government to provide an alternative permanent location to set up the paramilitary force’s camp.
The CM and Tynsong assured the delegation of immediate steps to shift the CRPF camp out of Mawlai and requested it to play an active role in restoring peace in the area as well as the rest of Shillong.
The delegation sought a judicial enquiry into the killing of former HNLC general secretary, Cheristerfield Thangkhiew on August 13.
Sangma apprised the team of headmen of the Cabinet decision on Monday for such a probe.
Mawlai legislator PT Sawkmie also demanded the shifting of the CRPF camp at Block 9 of Nongkwar as the local people “are always at the receiving end” whenever a law-and-order situation arises.
Condemning the paramilitary force, the MLA said: “The CRPF personnel expected to protect the law are breaking it. The temporary CRPF camp should be removed at the earliest. If they continue to be stationed here, people will not feel safe.”
According to Sawkmie, more than three people were injured during the clashes between the CRPF and the youth at Mawlai Nongkwar Sunday night. Locals claimed the CRPF personnel raided the locality and even entered the compounds of some houses.
There was a large gathering at Nongkwar leading to chaos and the CRPF crackdown.
The MLA appealed to the people of Mawlai and various pressure groups to work together to bring back normalcy.
Night vigil by Mawlai residents
Residents of Mawlai came out on to the streets on Monday evening to stand vigil in order to prevent any untoward incident in the area.
The Rangbah Shnong of the different localities including the Synjuk Ki Seng Kynthei and Seng Samla Shnong and members of various pressure groups took the lead to ensure peace and harmony prevails in the area.
BDO of Mawlai C&RD Block, PT Passah lauded the efforts of the residents of Mawlai for taking this step to ensure that unwanted elements from outside do not create problems in the various localities.
Stating that there are elements who are trying to exploit the situation, Passah said that the situation on Sunday night did not veer out of control due to the residents of the area.
Meanwhile, Mawlai Town Dorbar (MTD) coordinator and Rangbah Shnong of Mawlai Iewrynghep, Herlambok War said that residents of four localities located along the GS Road comprising of Iewrynghep, Nongkwar, Nonglum and Umthlong, have decided to carry out night patrolling following Sunday’s incidents.
War said that the decision was taken after due consultations with the BDO and local MDC, Teiborlang Pathaw.
“Residents of the four localities will continue night patrolling in the days to come to ensure that peace prevails in the area,” the MTD coordinator said.
Meanwhile, there were reports of burning of tyres at Laitkor and Upper Shillong area on Monday night. No further details were available at the time of going to the press.