Assam Police stops construction of PMGSY road in Assam by Meghalaya Government

A Correspondent

Boko: Villagers of Ranighat area allegedly argued with Assam Police after they stopped a Prime Minister Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) road construction by Meghalaya government from Athibari village to Umshiak village. They also seized a Tata dumper from Ranighat which is near Hahim Police outpost under Boko LAC in Kamrup district on Saturday.

Meghalaya had started construction of the road since October, 2018. At that time, Assam Police and administration stopped the construction. According to the Hahim Police Outpost in-charge Rajib Nath, he got information that Meghalaya had again started the construction of the road. So he and his team moved to Ranighat village where they found a Tata dumper in the construction site. They immediately seized the dumper and arrested the driver and brought him to Boko Police station. Meanwhile, school students and guardians returned from Hahim and they started to argue with the Hahim Police IC Rajib Nath. Later, Boko Police Station Officer in-charge Jogendra Barman, Kamrup DSP Kalyan Pathak and Boko Circle Officer (attached) Ashirbad Goswami, along with CRPF team and Assam Commando team, reached the spot and brought the situation under control. Later, Meghalaya officials arrived and discussed with the Assam government officials on Saturday evening at Hahim.

Kening Sangma (50) from Malapra village said, “The road from Athiabari to Umshiak is a very important border road connecting Salpara, Ranighat, Malapra, Machpara and Umshiak. More than 500 school students and guardians, villagers have to come daily to Hahim which is some 7-8 km far from the mentioned villages and now this road has been destroyed.”

Sangma regretted that after Independence, the Assam Government only provided them five lower primary schools situated in Athiabari, Salpara, Ranighat, Machpara and Mathaputa. Except these schools, the Assam Government has not provided the villagers anything, he alleged. On the other hand, Meghalaya government provided them water supply, electricity, MGNREGA job every year and medical facilities. and many other things. “Now, the Assam Government officials have come to stop the road construction. But people want only the road, who has constructed the road is not important,” he said.

Renu Bala Marak (45) from Ranighat village said that Assam ministers only came to see them during election. “The Assam Government never feels ours problems but if someone comes forward to help us, the Assam Government stops them,” said Marak.

OC of Boko Police Station, Jogendra Barman said that the situation was under control and CRPF personnel had been deployed. He also added that the dumper and driver were released on Sunday after a discussion with Meghalaya officials on Saturday evening.

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