NONGPOH, Jan 17: Expressing anguish over encroachment of land by Assam purportedly taking place at the interstate border between Meghalaya and Assam, residents of Barapathar village located in Ri-Bhoi, on Monday demanded the arrest of people involved in the vandalism of a signboard of MGNREGS project.
Notably, the signboard was erected by Barapathar village VEC for construction of a footpath. However, residents of Assam arrived in a group on Sunday and allegedly dismantled the signboard claiming that the plot of land falls under the Assam government’s jurisdiction.
The local residents have accused one Nirul Islam from Assam of leading the act of vandalism and instigating locals from Assam to dismantle the signboard on the pretext of encroachment of his land. Reacting to the purported claims, the residents of Barapathar have said that the project entirely falls under the jurisdiction of Meghalaya government.
Meanwhile, locals hailing from Barapathar and Mawiong on Monday assembled at the site of the signboard, to express their dissatisfaction with the vandalism. Village leaders as well as the local populace also expressed their discontentment over disturbances allegedly caused by Assam in the implementation of developmental works by Meghalaya government.
In this regard, they have urged the Meghalaya government to take serious steps to discuss these issues with the Assam government to ensure smooth implementation of all developmental works in the border area.
It may be mentioned that the Border Magistrate, R Kharbihkhiew, and Block Development Officer of Umling C&RD Block, R Nongrum, along with the district police had to rush to the spot where the villagers were assembled in order to maintain law and order.
The villagers subsequently dispersed after receiving the assurances from the office of the district administration to take up the matter.