Resentment over demolition of houses sans prior notice

FROM OUR CORRESPONDENT

SHILLONG, May 10: Five houses were demolished by the Ri-Bhoi district administration in Nongsder village on Tuesday after landowners allegedly sold off the land to the State government for handing over to the Army.

The affected families alleged that the district administration, along with security personnel led by one of the land owners came to their dwellings at around 5:30 am and demolished their houses “without notice”.

“We were never given any notice. Had we been informed in advance we would have looked for altertives,” one of the affected people said.

The affected families alleged that the district administration accompanied by security personnel came at a time when everyone was asleep. Among those evicted was a six-day-old child.

40 persons from five families were affected by the demolition drive today.

“We have been staying here for around 40 years and have been paying Rs 2500 per year,” an affected person said.

Meanwhile, the Nongsder dorbar has given the families temporary shelter near the football field of the dorbar shnong. Shangpliang also said that the district administration never informed him of the eviction drive.

The Nongsder dorbar will be holding a protest rally on Wednesday.