The Ri-Bhoi Youth Welfare Organization (RBYWO) has strongly opposed the government’s plan to acquire land in the Umroi area for the purpose of housing personnel from the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF).
According to Apbor Nongrum, the working president of the RBYWO, the pressure group is firmly against the proposal following the issuance of a public notice titled ‘Expression of Interest for Sale of Land for CISF Family Accommodation’, published on April 8 through the office of the Ri-Bhoi Deputy Commissioner.
CISF personnel are deployed at Umroi Airport on security duty. Until now, CISF personnel have been accommodated within the airport premises but the current plan involves acquiring a piece of land located approximately 5 to 10km from the airport.
The RBYWO expressed serious concern over this move, citing past experiences where the public faced difficulties due to the presence of armed forces, such as the situation in Nongsder. “Promises are often made during land acquisition, of prosperity and development, but history has shown that communities tend to suffer post-acquisition,” he said.
Nongrum also urged local residents not to register their land for sale to the CISF and advised traditional authorities like the Dorbar Shnong and Syiem of Raid Umroi not to issue a no-objection certificate (NOC) for the sale of land to the paramilitary force.
