Mawphlang legislator SK Sunn quotes documents, refutes Kyrmen Shylla’s comments regarding developmental activities

BALAKHAWA VILLAGE

A CORRESPONDENT

SHILLONG: Even though Meghalaya Minister of Revenue, Kyrmen Shylla had stated that he had never received complaint at his level regarding developmental activities taken up by Assam at Balakhawa village in Ri-Bhoi district, documents prove otherwise.

Reacting to news reports that came out in a section of the media, Mawphlang legislator SK Sunn said, “In this context, it may not be correct to say that there have been no complaints. As a matter of fact, as far back as 2015, the Secretary Executive Dorbar, Hima Nongspung had written to the then Deputy Commissioner, Ri-Bhoi district, complaining that Assam has broken an agreement by giving electricity connection to villages well within Meghalaya territory.”

The mentioned agreement was signed on March 4, 2015, at New Balakahawa, Nongspung Syiemship, between BK Borah ADC Kamrup and PS Kharkongor, ADC Ri-Bhoi district, GH Passah EAC in-charge WRAU, Patharkhmah and Michael Warjri, Secretary, Hima Nongspung.

Sunn also pointed out that on August 29 last year, the Syiem of Hima Nongspung, Pterick Syiemiong in a letter addressed to Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma, urged the Meghalaya government to stop the construction of a bridge by Assam at Akhoinijira near New Balakhawa under Nongspung Syiemship.

In the letter to the Chief Minister, Syiemiong had brought to his notice the construction of a road from Ranibari, Akhoinijira to New Balakhawa and a bridge.

In response to the complaint, Ri-Bhoi Deputy Commissioner RM Kurbah had written to her counterpart, the Kamrup (Rural), Deputy Commissioner to stop the construction of the bridge.

The Ri-Bhoi Deputy Commissioner had stated that the construction of the road and the bridge should be immediately stopped as there is a stay order by the then Shillong bench of the Gauhati High Court and the matter is subjudice as the matter has been filed in the Meghalaya High Court for upholding the earlier stay order of the Gauhati High Court.

According to Sunn, way back in May 27, 2010, the Syiem of Hima Nongspung, in a letter addressed to the then Home Minister, requested the government for setting up of a police outpost at New Balakhawa and for the immediate construction of a road from Patgaon to Baklapara to defend the boundary of HIma Nongspung and Meghalaya.

It may be mentioned that the Meghalaya Revenue Minister had said, “At my level there has not been a single resident who has approached me on this matter. Maybe they might have met the Chief Minister.”

Also read: Meghalaya news