Shillong, Sep 7: The Achik State Peoples’ Front (ASPF) has lodged a complaint with the East Garo Hills Deputy Commissioner, alleging serious violations and hardship to locals during ongoing expansion of Darugre-Songsak-Williamnagar highway.
In a memorandum, the ASPF along with four Nokmas said the project executed by NHIDCL and awarded to Sivalaya Construction Pvt Ltd was causing “unplanned, exploitative and unjust” impact on indigenous landowners.
The organisation alleged illegal encroachment, saying construction has extended beyond approved measurement into lands of locals who were denied access to monitor work. It claimed police intervention was used to intimidate people asserting rights.
It also flagged unscientific deep stone extraction and blasting along stretch, which allegedly triggered land collapse, landslides and erosion, damaging farmlands including arecanut and horticultural plantations. Several houses near sites have also sustained damage, it said.
ASPF alleged rampant dumping of debris and surplus earth by contractors, which gets washed into adjacent farmland during rains, contaminating crops, particularly betelnut.
On labour, it raised concern over unregistered migrant workers without labour permits or NOC from Nokmas or area development committees. Citing a recent incident in Rongre where a migrant labourer allegedly assaulted a local woman, it urged stricter monitoring and registration under Meghalaya Residents Safety and Security Act, 2016.
It also said labour camps set up along highway lack basic sanitation, leading to open defecation and public health risks, and some camps are inside protected forest reserves without permission from A·king Nokmas.
ASPF and Nokmas of Naringgre, Rong·apgre, Wagopgre and Jamge A·kings urged administration to conduct immediate joint survey to assess encroachments, ensure prompt compensation to affected landowners, inspect labour permits of all migrant workers and dismantle unauthorised roadside labour camps.
