Shillong, Sep 18: Villagers have alleged that the National Highways & Infrastructure Development Corporation Ltd (NHIDCL) has forcibly damaged private land and property along the Dainadubi–Darugiri stretch of National Highway-217 without proper consent.
Pubalim Momin, a landowner from Gabil Bisa, Rongmil, lodged an FIR on September 16 at Rongmil Police Station. She accused NHIDCL contractors of illegally entering her property on the night of August 24 and destroying valuable trees and assets. She stated that she had not signed or consented to the land acquisition process. She further stated that the compensation offered was “miniscule compared to the actual value” of her land
“They came at night and damaged my property without my consent. I refused to accept the unjust compensation, but they are trying to threaten us into giving up our land,” the complainant said in her FIR.
The FIR stated that local residents managed to capture photographic evidence identifying the culprits. Villagers have described the incident as a “criminal intimidation tactic” to force them into submission.
The case comes after the Revenue Department’s notification dated August 26, 2025. The notification called for land verification hearings for objectors under the NH-217 widening project. The notice directed landowners from Rogu Alda to Darugre Songma to attend spot verification from September 3, 2025. The allegations have raised doubts about the fairness of the compensation and the conduct of the authorities. However, only a few people in Rongjeng Bazar and nearby areas were listed in the latest reverification process. A majority of names were not included in the list carried by the Deputy Commissioner’s office during spot verification.
The compensation issue has remained contentious since February 2025. Residents first became aware of the amounts being offered during that period. Many objected to the rates and did not sign the consent letter at the Deputy Commissioner’s office in East Garo Hills when they were called to receive compensation. Some signed consent papers and accepted payment. Several of them are reported to have done so hurriedly under pressure or in fear of police and legal complications. Some of these landowners are now planning to return the compensation and pursue legal remedies. They argue that the payments were disproportionately low compared to the value of their land.
Discontent has been building for months. Villagers argue that the compensation packages are grossly inadequate.
Affected people had earlier submitted a joint petition to the Deputy Commissioner, highlighting the low compensation against the loss of ancestral land, fruit-bearing trees, and community resources. Affected villagers also submitted a fresh joint petition on July 14 to the Deputy Commissioner. They are consulting advocates, and plans are being made to approach the High Court if required.
Officials in the Deputy Commissioner’s office, who are the competent authority for land acquisition, have not yet issued a formal statement on the FIR and the allegations raised by the villagers.
