KHADC demands halt to border fencing

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaJanuary 29, 2019

SHILLONG: Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) has demanded the state government to immediately halt the ongoing construction of the fencing along the International Indo-Bangla border in East Khasi Hills District.

Addressing media persons here on Tuesday, Council’s chief Hispreaching Son Shylla said, “We would write to the deputy commissioner of East Khasi Hills District tomorrow asking her to immediately stop the construction of the border fencing.”

The chief executive member alleged that the construction of the border fencing was done without obtaining the necessary No objection certification (NOC) from the KHADC.

“If the government fails to halt the construction work then it is better for them to dissolve the district council,” an agitated Shylla said.

He said during the joint inspection conducted by the KHADC along with leaders of the CCIB, headmen, land owners and others at Lyngkhat up to Dawki, it was found that the rights of the people residing in these affected villages have been bulldozed by the government.

Shylla further slammed the then chief minister Mukul Sangma, deputy chief minister Prestone Tynsong and Education Minister Lahkmen Rymbui who were part of the delegation which accompanied then Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to sign the Land boundary agreement on September 6, 2011.

“The signing of this agreement was a big loss to the state of Meghalaya and its border,” he said while expressing concern that the Dawki Bridge may fall under Bangladesh territory if the border fencing is allowed.