Shillong, Feb 24: Deputy Chief Minister in-charge Home Prestone Tynsong on Tuesday informed the Assembly that GTC and defence authority have agreed to ensure smooth movement of vehicles to and from Mawshbuit village.
The deputy chief minister said the disputed 600-metre stretch of Happy Valley-Mawshbuit road, which falls under defence land, is almost resolved.
“Let me inform the House that a solution is more or less reached to a final conclusion. Yesterday, chief minister has called a meeting where the GTC of the Army and all officers of the defense and also officials of the state government attended and in the meeting we had I am happy to inform that the GTC and defence authority has agreed not to disturb or not to create stoppage of movement of traffic going or coming out of Mawshbuit village,” Tynsong said while replying to supplementary question raised by VPP legislator from Mawryngkneng Heaving Stone Kharpran.
“Very soon we will get proceedings of the meeting and once it is signed necessary direction will be given to the district administration to ensure stoppage of movement to or from the village shall not be disturbed at all,” he added.
Tynsong also added that during a meeting held last year, he had made clear to villagers that claiming the land was not possible, but assured that “movement of traffic is not affected from or to Mawshbuit village.”
A resurvey will be conducted by the district administration and Directorate of land records department, he said.
“The land document is already there. Yesterday, we decided that a survey has to take place again to ensure everybody gets full clarity on the issue. We have directed the district administration along with the Directorate of Land Record and Survey to conduct a detailed survey and thereafter we will see how this clarity comes up.”
According to him, maintenance of the stretch lies with the defence authority.
Tynsong further informed that the district collector will conduct a joint inspection with defence authorities over bridge construction at Wah Umkhen after Army obstruction was reported.
“Yes, we are aware about this issue as it happens that some portion of the land falls under defence authority,” Tynsong said.
On competing land claims raised by the VPP legislator from Nongkrem Ardent Basaiawmoit, the deputy chief minister said, “Land document of defence authority will be tabled in the house and I hope clarity will come out of it.”
He said a productive meeting chaired by the chief minister would help resolve the chronic issue, assuring that movement to Mawshbuit village will not be affected.
