Shillong, April 16: The State Government, through the Tourism Department, has responded to a representation by the Green Tech Foundation (GTF), stating that no construction will be allowed at Lumpongdeng hill near Umiam Lake.
In a letter issued by Joint Secretary C.S. Khongwir, the department clarified that there will be no construction activity at the site as part of the proposed hotel project being pursued under the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) mode. The government also urged the GTF to call off its indefinite hunger strike.
However, reacting to the communication, GTF Chairman H. Bansiewdor Nonglang expressed dissatisfaction, stating that if the government is firm about not allowing construction, it should immediately cancel the agreement signed with Umiam Hotels Private Limited (UHPL) for the 36-acre land and return the area to the public.
He alleged that the government has been repeating the same assurance since the beginning without taking concrete action. “If there will be no construction, then give us written proof that the agreement with the company has been cancelled and the land has been restored to the people,” Nonglang said.
Questioning the government’s intent, he remarked, “The Chief Minister and the government say they have given the land but will not use it—do you expect us to believe such claims?”
Nonglang further warned that the issue could be forgotten over time, allowing development to begin later. He reiterated that the protest would continue until the agreement with UHPL is officially scrapped and the land is handed back to the public.
