The Ri-Bhoi unit of the Federation of Khasi, Jaintia and Garo People (FKJGP) has discovered an alleged plan for a businessman from Assam to build a resort and petrol pump on Meghalaya government land in Ri-Bhoi.
Members of the pressure group conducted a spot visit yesterday after it received information that the land in Mawsmai village, owned by the Meghalaya Mineral Development Corporation Ltd (MMDCL), was going to be used for a private business venture.
During the inspection, the FKJGP found evidence of land development for the alleged construction, with the necessary no objection certificate (NOC) obtained from the headman of Mawsmai.
Expressing dismay, FKJGP unit president Lui Star Lyngdoh said that his organisation is shocked to discover that government land had been leased to a businessman from Assam for the state purposes.
Instead, the land should have been utilised to construct infrastructure that will benefit the local populace, he opined, such as educational institutions or guesthouses; the latter would be useful for those undertaking medical treatment in Assam.