Khliehriat, Sep 8: A verbal tussle broke out between villagers of Bataw and Pynurkba today but timely intervention by police prevented escalation of the clash.
The two villages in East Jaintia Hills are claiming ownership of the land in Lyngkien Tariang.
Trouble started when a truck loaded boulders from a land in dispute. Villagers of Bataw claimed that people from Pynurkba are claiming ownership over the land that belongs to them. In retaliation, the people of Bataw brought an excavator to demarcate the land.
Waheh Shnong of Bataw Deihok Sumer said that the dorbar had recently written to the CEM of the Jaiñtia Hills Autonomous District Council to resolve the land issue. He claimed that villagers of Bataw were threatened that they would not be allowed to pass through Pynurkba.
Sumer maintained that the land falls under Bataw and the neighbouring village has no right to claim ownership as per a notification issued on December 4, 2008. He alleged that villagers of Pynurkba have destroyed a route leading to Umlasnam, where people used to go to collect sand and forest produce.
Pynurkba too claimed ownership of the land. Waheh Shnong of Pynurkba Syrdeplang Ryngkhlem said the dorbar has documents to prove that the land at Lyngkien Tariang falls under its jurisdiction.
Meanwhile, police were able to control the dissenting villagers even as they kept a tab to check law and order situation to thwart any untoward incident.
