Meghalaya Village Residents Clash with Assam Police Over PMGSY Road Construction

Guwahati, September 16, 2019:

A scuffle broke out between the residents of around 15 villages of Meghalaya and Assam Police over road construction under the Prime Minister Gram Sadak Yojna (PMGSY).

Assam Police had tried to stop the construction of a 6.5 km PMGSY road in the Ranighat village under Rambrai-Jyrngam constituency in West Khasi Hills district on Saturday.

It is to be mentioned here that the area falls under the 12 disputed spots between Meghalaya and Assam states.

The locals alleged that Assam Police from Hahim Outpost under Kamrup district had arrived at the spot and seized the dumper and all the materials brought in for road construction from Athiabari to Umshiak villages. A local said that the route from Athiabari to Umshiak was an important border road connecting Salpara, Ranighat, Malapra, Machpara and Umshiak.  More than 500 people including school students travel through the road.

It is to be noted that there are a total of 12 areas along the Assam-Meghalaya border that are under dispute. These are Langpih, Upper Tarabari, Gazang Reserve Forest, Hahim, Borduar, Boklapara, Nongwah, Matamur, Khanapara-Pilangkata, Deshdemoreah Block I and Block II, Khanduli and Retacherra.

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Locals along the border expressed disappointment with the administration as apart from schools, there have not been noteworthy developments along the border.

Meanwhile, the PMGSY road construction has been completely stopped. West Khasi Hills district administration of Meghalaya and Kamrup district administration of Assam have decided to halt it until further notice on the issue is served.

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