By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, April 9: A meeting convened by East Khasi Hills Deputy Commissioner Rosetta M. Kurbah helped break the deadlock between the Dorbar Shnong of Golflink and the Shillong Club over the management and use of the historic Shillong Golf Course.
The meeting, held at the Deputy Commissioner’s office on Thursday, was attended by members of the Shillong Club’s Board of Directors led by Director-in-Charge Hector Marwein, representatives of the Dorbar Shnong Golflink, including Seng Samla members, and Pynthorumkhrah MLA and former Cabinet Minister Alexander Laloo Hek.
The meeting was convened following tensions that escalated on Wednesday, when the Dorbar Shnong locked the main gate of the golf course, alleging that the club had denied entry to locals and imposed entry fees despite earlier assurances.
The Dorbar Shnong maintained that repeated attempts to engage the club had gone unanswered, prompting the protest.
At the outset, the DC urged both sides to resolve the dispute amicably to avoid any law-and-order situation.
The Dorbar Shnong, represented by Rangbah Shnong Michael Hek, stated that they had extended full cooperation during the fencing of the Golf Course on the assurance that the residents would be allowed free entry for morning walks, employment opportunities would be provided to the local youth, and the RV Lyngdoh Ground (Madan Saw) would be allowed for community use.
However, the Dorbar Shnong alleged that the Shillong Club failed to honour these commitments and instead restricted entry and levied fees on residents, triggering resentment. The Dorbar also asserted that the Golf Course remains a vital green space for the community, particularly for children and the elderly, and questioned the club’s authority as a lessee rather than the landowner.
On the other hand, the Shillong Club clarified that the Golf Course is an important ecological and recreational asset, with efforts focused on biodiversity conservation, waste management and maintaining the natural landscape.
The club stated that minimal entry fees were being charged solely for maintenance purposes and urged the Dorbar Shnong to cooperate in preserving the course.
Intervening in the matter, Hek, also a club member, supported the demand for exemption of entry fees for locals, while acknowledging the club’s role in managing the course.
Following detailed deliberations, both parties agreed to resolve the issue, and a set of key decisions was arrived at:
Entry to the golf course will be free for residents of Golflink Dorbar upon production of EPIC/residential certificate or ID issued or recommended by the Rangbah Shnong, between 6 am and 8 am.
The Madan Saw (RV Lyngdoh Ground) will be made available for use by residents of Golflink, Lumshyiap, Pynthorbah, and Mawlai Mawroh, with a day’s notice to the club. No fees will be charged for such usage, and specific time slots will be allotted.
On employment, it was agreed that concerns regarding security personnel will be monitored, and any issues will be communicated to the club’s administrator for necessary action.
Subsequently, the Dorbar Shnong agreed to reopen the gates of the Golf Course, ending the impasse.
The Golflink Rangbah Shnong said after the meeting that all demands of the Dorbar had been accepted, including free entry for residents, access to Madan Saw, and employment opportunities for local youth as security personnel. He, however, cautioned that any inconvenience to the residents could invite stronger action from the Dorbar.
Hek stated that the meeting helped foster mutual understanding between the Dorbar Shnong and the Shillong Club, adding that both sides have agreed to work in close coordination going forward. He said that it was also decided that church groups, schoolchildren, and religious gatherings from the four localities would be allowed to use the playground free of cost, subject to routing requests through their respective Rangbah Shnong.
