The Nongtyngur unit of the Khasi Students Union (KSU), Rangbah Shnongs and residents have written to the East Khasi Hills Deputy Commissioner to complain about alleged under-compensation paid to landowners for their property which was ceded to the government for construction of fencing on the Indo-Bangladesh border.
The KSU, the letter says, has received multiple complaints from the general public about the fencing work and not just concerning the compensation for the land.
Because the fence is not set up on the international border itself, due to an existing treaty with Bangladesh and concerns of terrain, much agricultural land will end up on the wrong side of the fence, though will still be Indian territory.
However, the entire village of Lyngkhong will also lie outside the fence and residents fear that this could lead to their village being ceded to Bangladesh.
The letter also expressed apprehension that the border haat (market) at Lyngkhat, where Khasis and Bangladeshi have met to trade for years, will have to be closed down due to the fencing work. The DC was requested to ensure that the haat is not closed or, if there is no alternative, an alternative location be found for trade to continue.
The DC was also asked to ensure that the land acquisition for the fencing work be done according to the provisions of the Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act 2013.
