Govt awaiting MHA reply on CRPF camp relocation: CM

SHILLONG, Nov 14: The state government is still awaiting reply from the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on the shifting of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) temporary camp from Mawlai Nongkwar to Mawpdang, New Shillong Township.
This was informed by Chief Minister, Conrad K Sangma during his visit to the CRPF camp at Mawlai Nongkwar on Monday.
It may be mentioned that the state government on August 8 this year has given the Letter of Allotment (LoA) to the CRPF for setting its permanent camp at the proposed 10 acres of land at Mawpdang.
The state government had allocated the proposed land to the CRPF following demand from the residents and pressure groups from Mawlai areas to shift the temporary CRPF camp.
The CM said that the matter is still pending with the MHA and the shifting of the CRPF camp will take some time.
“We will try our level best to speed up the whole exercise. But it will depend on the MHA,” he said, while adding that he understands that shifting the camp will benefit the locals. The CM said the Mawpdang location is adjacent to the proposed 250 acres of land where the state government plans to set up the new Secretariat building.
“The present CRPF temporary camp has been located in the land which belongs to the Arts and Culture department at Mawlai Nongkwar for 44 years. But the people of Mawlai want this temporary camp to be shifted,” the CM said.
Chief Minister also inspected the viewpoint of Bishop’s and Bedon’s Falls at Mawlai Nongkwar.
Sangma was accompanied by Mawlai MDC, Teiborlang Pathaw, Director General of Police (DGP) Dr LR Bishnoi, Inspector General (IG) CRPF, Sonal V Mishra, Secretary of Home department, Cyril V Diengdoh, Deputy Commissioner of East Khasi Hills, Isawanda Laloo, and Superintendent of Police, S Nongtnger, among others.