Row continues between Tynring groups

SHILLONG, APR 6: The mudsling between two groups of Tynring villagers’ continues as both the parties are indulging in accusations and counter accusations over the proposed selling of 80 acres of community land to Meghalaya Urban Development Authority   (MUDA).

On Monday it was the turn of the suspended Tynring Sordar CA Diengdoh as he claimed that the current crisis in the village is because he refused to issue the No Objection Certificate (NOC) and take bribe for the proposed selling of an 80 acre community land by two women to MUDA.

Diengdoh told newsmen during a media conference on Monday,  “I have rejected outright their request for issuing of NOC on ground that the 80 acre of land is an agricultural land.”

The two women – Shimtimai Mylliempdah and Streamlet Mylliempdah who originally owned only 2 to 3 acre of land had tried to offer 80 acres of land (which belongs to the raid Tynring) to the MUDA.

Diengdoh claimed that because of his refusal to issue NOC and take bribe the two women found ways and means to remove me from the post of sordar and alleged that the agents of the state government sent feeler offering lakh of rupees for obtaining the NOC.

Diengdoh was accompanied by villagers from Tynring who strongly refuted to the allegations made against him.

Diengdoh was put under suspension by the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) on March 26, following a petition filed by the Seng Longkmie and Seng Samla Shnong of Tynring village alleging him of abuse of power.

Earlier, the petitioners and even the Sohrynkham MDC Pyniaid Sing Syiem had alleged that Diengdoh had attempted to sell 1000 acre of community land to the MUDA without the consent of the village dorbar and had even given the power of attorney to one Marshall Nongrum to execute the plan.

Diengdoh, however, clarified to the allegation by saying, “The decision to sell the 1000 acres of land was taken at a meeting of Dorbar Pynllun which was held on April 30, 2011.” According to him, the decision was taken after the MUDA had identified the land which was suitable for construction of a road to connect the village with Shillong Bye pass.

Diengdoh said, “We agreed to sell the 1000 acres of land which is located at Wah-umsohlang because of the fact that there is no agricultural activity taking place. Therefore, we thought allowing the MUDA to make use of the land would bring development to the village including employment opportunity.”

Diengdoh also informed that with the consent of the dorbar shnong, the meeting decided to give power of attorney to Marshall Nongrum, who is holding the post of a treasurer, to represent the dorbar shnong adding the decision was taken in the presence of the head of family of those who are leveling the allegations against him.

Diengdoh revealed that the move to sell the 1000 acres of land failed and was cancelled after the MUDA had inspected the land. Later, the MUDA decided to acquire around 2000 acres of land belonging to other village, he said.

Reiterating that issue of selling the land came to an end since 2011, Diengdoh said, “There is no more deal between MUDA and village dorbar,” adding “The village is still preserving land measuring from 4000 to 5000 acres for the purpose of agricultural activity and ginger cultivation as it is totally opposed against selling of community land.”

Earlier, the villagers who accompanied Diengdoh said that the Seng Longkmie was dissolve way back in April 18, 2011 even as they categorically stated that there is no Seng Samla (local youth organization) in the village.

One of the villagers, Prisilla Nongbet said, “The Seng Longkmie was already dissolved by the Dorbar Shnong in its meeting held on April 18, 2011 after its members went against the rules of the village.”

Nongbet questioned how P Kharmuti can claim that she is still the president of the Seng Longkmie when the organization was already unanimously dissolved.

Earlier in a press conference convened last week, Kharmuti had made several allegations against the Diengdoh alleging him of corruption practices and abuse of power.

Kharmuit had also alleged that Diengdoh collected money illegally from the residents of the village in the name of availing the Total Sanitation Campaign (TSC) in the village besides forging the signature of job card holders and illegally withdrawing money under MNREGS.

On this, Nongbet defened Diengdoh by saying, “The dorbar shnong did collect the money of Rs 300 for the TSC scheme but later it decided to refund back the money to all residents,” adding “Majority of the residents had collected their Rs 300 except those who decided to find fault against the dorbar shnong.”

With regards to the MNREGS, Nongbet said that the allegation is baseless since the money under MNREGS could not be released by the BDO after a women representative failed to give her signature.

As per rule, for release of the fund under MNREGS, the signature of the VEC chairman and secretary and women representative is needed, she added.- By Our Reporter