The MDC of Sohryngkham and Chairman of the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC), Pyniaid Sing Syiem, has flown to New Delhi to take up matters related to the ongoing dispute between the military at the 58 Gorkha Training Centre (GTC) and the residents of Mawshbuit.
Speaking to Highland Post over the phone today, Syiem said that he has reached Delhi and will be meeting Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh tomorrow to discuss the matter.
“I will be taking up the ongoing dispute between the military at the 58 Gorkha Training Centre (GTC) and the various harassments faced by the residents of Mawshbuit with the Union Minister of Defence,” he informed.
Mawshbuit village is only accessible by road along a route adjacent to the GTC camp, which the army had closed to civilian traffic in April. This led to a fracas where four civilians were injured. Although the state government tried to resolve the issue, there has been no solution as yet.
After the incident, the Deputy Commissioner of East Khasi Hills constituted a committee to resolve the matter in three months but the second wave of the Covid-19 pandemic interrupted proceedings.
The MDC, however, assured that he will fight and follow up the matter by any means and see that the GTC gate is shifted onto the GTC’s own premises so as not to obstruct the road use by the public.
With regards to the statement by the Khasi Students Union (KSU) recently that the Army has also conducted a survey of farmland around Mawshbuit, which has thoroughly disturbed the local population, Syiem said that he has learned about the matter and informed the concerned magistrate and all activities have been halted.
When asked if there is any information of the motive behind the survey conducted by the Army, Syiem said that he is yet to receive firm information on this, though it is not unusual to see military personnel there as there is a training ground belonging to Assam Regiment there.
Meanwhile, Syiem also said that he will also be meeting the Union Finance Minister on matters related to the KHADC.
