Laitkor Peak iccessible for security reasons

A CORRESPONDENT

SHILLONG, Jan 6: The Air Force has closed down the access road to Shillong Peak Post terrorist attack on the Air Force Base at Pathankot. This has been done after high alert has been sounded across India. According to Ministry of Defence PRO, Amit Mahajan the security of Air Force Station, at Laitkor Peak too has also been beefed up.

“As a precautiory measure, the entry to Air Force Station has been restricted. This would restrict movement of tourists to Shillong View Point. No restriction has been imposed on the movement of locals through the camp,” Mahajan said.

The PRO said that local authorities like the Deputy Commissioner, East Khasi Hills and the Superintendent of Police, City have been informed about the restrictions.

Mahajan informed that presently, there are only two access roads to Shillong View Point both of which pass through the Air Force Station, Laitkor Peak.

“In a recent Civil Military Liaison meeting, a proposal was made to the Meghalaya Government by station authorities to construct an access road from outside the Air Force Station to the View Point,” Mahajan said.

He also stated that expeditious construction of this short stretch of 5 km will give a huge fillip to tourism by providing round the clock access to the view point while addressing the security concerns of the Air Force.

“The station authorities are aware of the effect on the tourists of these restrictions, and are making all efforts to resume normal passage of tourists to the View Point, the restriction however is likely to continue as long as High Alert warning persists,” Mahajan said.

According to the PRO, on an average more than 300 tourist vehicles and tourists exceeding 1600 enter the station in a day and transit to the view point 2 kms away, a distance that needs to be guarded.

According to Mahajan anti-tiol elements could take advantage of this tourist rush to pose a threat to the station.

He also informed that all the adjoining villages of Air Force Station, Laitkor Peak have been apprised of the current situation by the Station Commander on January 4 and the village heads have agreed to extend wholehearted support to the station.

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