Nongpoh, Aug 4: The newly-inaugurated Pine Club in Mawsmai, Jorabat, in Ri-Bhoi has brought in Bollywood glitz as well as leading to sharp criticism of its activities.
Aging Bollywood actor Govinda was roped in to open the location over the weekend alongside former Meghalaya minister James PK Sangma.
Describing itself as a place where families can come and relax after a hectic work week, the club on the Assam-Meghalaya border aims to offer a premium weekend retreat and social space for families, tourists and locals.
So far, so mundane. On Monday, however, the Ri-Bhoi People’s Council (RBPC) strongly criticised and vehemently opposed the opening of Pine Club, alleging that it was established without following proper legal procedures solely because of the backing of influential supporters and that it was being run as a nightclub with gambling taking place on the premises.
The RBPC claimed that the authorities, from the district authorities, the police and even the local MLA were all in the dark as to the club’s opening.
The pressure group also claimed that it consulted the Mawsmai village dorbar, which clarified that it had issued a no-objection certificate (NOC) five months ago only for holding public gatherings and indoor games but this would not cover the running of a nightclub or for gambling activities on the property.
Sangma was known to be a strong proponent for the creation of casinos on the Meghalaya-Assam border when he was in government prior to 2023 but the state government had to give up on its dream after furious public opposition.
The RBPC plans to meet the Ri-Bhoi Deputy Commissioner on Tuesday regarding this matter and it also called on the Mawsmai village dorbar to revoke the NOC it issued to the club.
