By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, March 13: The opposition raised sharp questions in the Assembly over the unresolved dispute concerning a 600-meter stretch of road on the Happy Valley–Mawshbuit route, demanding clarity on the army’s claim to the land and the government’s plan to resolve the issue.
Mawryngkneng MLA Heavingstone Kharpran pressed the government on whether the army possesses legal documents to support its ownership of the contested stretch.
In response, Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong, who oversees PWD (Roads), confirmed that the land indeed belongs to the defence, citing a notification from 1972. He assured the House that meetings with the district administration had uncovered crucial documents verifying the army’s claim.
Not satisfied with the verbal confirmation, Kharpran demanded that the relevant documents be placed on the table of the House, to which Tynsong agreed.
Kharpran questioned the recent repair work by the PWD at Mawshbuit, asking whether the work extended beyond the 600-meter stretch. He pointed out that army personnel had disrupted the repair work.
Tynsong acknowledged the disruption, explaining that the army had initially claimed ownership of the road beyond the 600 meters. However, a meeting convened by the Deputy Commissioner on February 13, 2025, resolved the matter, allowing the PWD to continue its work outside the defence land.
The MLA urged the government to find a permanent solution to this ongoing conflict, stressing that army personnel often pose a threat to locals, disrupting daily life and development efforts. Tynsong assured the House that the government would review the matter in the coming weeks.
He revealed that the PWD is exploring an alternative road alignment, proposing a bypass from Mawlyngngat to Mawshbuit, then to Mawlynrei, and finally to Mawkasiang, a move aimed at steering clear of the defence land entirely. He appealed to Kharpran for cooperation in negotiating with landowners to make this plan a reality.
Kharpran agreed to cooperate but urged the government to demarcate the 600-meter defence land to prevent further conflicts. Tynsong assured him that proper demarcation had already been done, with an entry-exit gate installed within the 600-meter stretch.
Adding to the debate, VPP MLA from Nongkrem, Ardent Basaiawmoit questioned whether there were any plans to align a road from Madanryting to Mawshbuit, given the close connection between the areas.
Tynsong responded that while there was no concrete proposal yet, the suggestion would be examined.
The discussion intensified when TMC State President and Nongthymmai MLA Charles Pyngrope raised concerns about the gate erected by the army along the main road from Madanryting to Mawshbuit.
He highlighted recurring harassment faced by locals, who are often stopped by army personnel.
Pyngrope questioned why the gate was placed in the middle of the road rather than at either end of the 600-meter stretch, suggesting this would mark army boundaries without obstructing public movement.
He urged the Deputy CM to engage in high-level talks with GTC authorities to remove the gate or at least reposition it in line with the legal defence boundaries.
Tynsong reiterated that the gate falls within the 600-meter defence land, as per the 1972 notification. Nonetheless, he assured the House that he would meet with GTC authorities in the coming weeks to address the issue.
He emphasized the government’s ongoing efforts to secure a permanent solution, primarily through the proposed road alignment that would bypass defence land entirely.