A landowner in Barapathar village, situated in Ri-Bhoi on the border between Meghalaya and Assam, has allegedly been subjected to threats by two residents of Assam after she donated land for the construction of a water reservoir tank in the village.
Juki Marwet had selflessly parted with the land for the crucial project executed as part of the Jal Jeevan Mission. However, the two Assam residents, identified in a complaint as Tutu Majumdar and Nurul Islam, have tried to block the project.
Village leaders and residents of Barapathar allege that the two are temporarily resident in the village as tenants and vehemently oppose any developmental initiatives undertaken by the Meghalaya government.
Majumdar and Islam have allegedly made unfounded claims to the Assam administration that the land under which the tank is being constructed belongs to Assam. As a result, government officials and police from Assam came to the village with the intention of halting work on the project. However, police from the Meghalaya outpost in Pilangkata prevented disruption to the construction work.
Headman of Barapathar, Soni Nongtri, said that Majumdar and Islam have a history of being disruptive, previously being involved in dismantling the foundation stone of a road in Barapathar, which had been constructed under MGNREGA.
An FIR has been filed by the landowner and village authorities at Pilangkata police outpost against the duo.
