Kurbah directs supporting and opposing factions to resolve dispute, submit report
SHILLONG, Jan 28: A week after a violent clash between the police and the public over the construction of the Ramakrishna Mission ME School building at Mawkynrew village, East Khasi Hills Deputy Commissioner RM Kurbah on Tuesday directed the two groups (one supporting the school and the other opposing it) to hold an internal meeting to resolve the conflict over the contentious allotment of the land to the school, while also making it clear that construction of the school building will continue.
The directive came following a meeting convened by the DC with representatives of the two groups and the representative of RKM Sohra in the presence of East Khasi Hills SP, Vivek Syiem.
The district police chief informed that the two groups have been directed to submit a report on the outcome of the internal meeting to the DC within a week.
He also said that the group opposing the school wanted a halt to all construction activities till the issue over the allotment of the land is resolved.
“We told them that the construction work cannot be stopped since there is a directive from the High Court that the work should not be affected,” the SP said, adding that they cannot halt any construction work which is being funded under a centrally sponsored scheme.
According to him, the opposing group is not against the construction of the school but their primary contention is that the land was allotted without taking everybody into confidence.
Informing that the curfew imposed on January 20 will continue, the SP said that the opposing group has given a commitment that they will not do anything to damage the school building or take out any protest rally.
Acting Sordar of Mawkynrew Dorbar Pyllun, Kitborlang Mukhim said the DC convened the meeting as she wanted the two groups to resolve their differences amicably.
He said the DC made it amply clear that the construction of the school will continue in order to give priority to improvement of education in the area.
Mukhim said the executive committees (ECs) of the Mawkynrew and Mawlein Dorbar Shnong will hold a joint meeting to resolve their differences amicably.
“We will submit a report to the DC on the outcome of this meeting,” he added.
Secretary of RKM Sohra, Swami Anuragananda expressed relief that none of the two groups were against the construction of the school.
He observed that the issue of allotment of land will have to be resolved by the two groups themselves.
Replying to a query, he said that the school building is funded by the Ministry of DoNER, adding that the timeline to complete the school building is 18 months.
“Already one year has passed. But we will have no problem completing the school building on time if there is no further disruption,” Swami Anuragananda said.
He further informed that the total project cost of the school building is around Rs 2.5 crore and added that the new building will have classes up to the higher secondary section.