The Assam Government has been sued in the Meghalaya High Court for allegedly constructing roads in areas under the jurisdiction of Hima Nongspung in Meghalaya’s Ri-Bhoi district.
The areas where construction of roads is being taken up include Patgoan, Jimbrigoan to Bakhlapara village, and Mawdongki to Bakhlapara village within Hima Nongspung.
The Hima Nongspung alleged that the construction was initiated by AGP legislator from Gauhati (West), Ramendra Narayan Kolita.
Secretary of the Hima Nongspung, Michael Warjri said that the Hima has sought the intervention of the Meghalaya High Court by filing a petition in this regard.
“We have filed the petition on August 13 against the illegal construction of roads by the Assam government,” he said.
Warjri said that the Meghalaya High Court is yet to pass its order on the matter.
The Hima Nongpung has approached the Court after getting no response from the Meghalaya Government.
He said that a petition was submitted to Chief Minister, Conrad K Sangma on June 27 this year, but no response was received from the State Government.
Warjri said that on October 18 last year, Kalita had sought permission from the Meghalaya Public Works Department for the construction of two roads at Rs 14 crore and Rs 13 crore respectively, but the Assam MLA went ahead with the construction works which is highly illegal, since the Meghalaya PWD has not given any permission.
Warjri alleged that the Assam MLA did not also pay any heed to the request of the Hima Nongspung which had sent a letter urging him to stop the construction till permission is granted.
The Hima Nongspung informed that it had also sought the intervention of Ri Bhoi district Deputy Commissioner who then took up the matter with the DC of Kamrup district to ensure that construction of the roads in Meghalaya by the Assam government is stopped.
“We have also filed a complaint with the Deputy Commissioner against the illegal construction of the Ranibari bridge by Assam but work is still going on,” Warjri informed.