TURA: Residents of the Indo-Bangladesh border areas in South Garo Hills have threatened to dismantle the border fencing if the process of compensation is not initiated within seven days.
The compensation has been pending for over 24 years when acquisition of land for border fencing first began.
The residents took the stand following a meeting of the Indo-Bangla Border Fencing Land Owners Association (IBBFLOA) held recently at Dabram in Baghmara in the district.
Villages affected by the border fencing include Batlaban, Kanai, Chenggni, Gulpani, Rongara, Dambuk Apal, Panda and those that fall along the border route near Gasuapara.
IBBFLOA secretary Crosbell N Sangma said those affected by the land acquisition were facing financial problems due to non-payment of the compensation amount as they had already parted with their valuable arable land and plantations.
“How long are we supposed to wait? The government must start the process of compensation payment otherwise we will have no other option but to take necessary action to reclaim our lost lands,” Sangma said.
