Growing Dispute Between Golflink Community and Shillong Club About Management of Shillong Golf Course Has Grown So Much That Dorbar Shnong Closes the Doors of Famous Shillong Golf Course; District Authorities Intervene
A rising dispute regarding the management of the historic Shillong Golf Course between Dorbar Shnong of Golflink and Shillong Club has compelled the district administration to intervene.
On Wednesday, tensions escalated when the Dorbar Shnong sealed the gates of the historic golf course, which is the third oldest golf course in India and the first 18 hole golf course in Asia. Presently, this golf course is being run by the Shillong Club.
As per reports, the decision to seal the doors has been made after several failed attempts to have talks between the Dorbar Shnong and the Shillong Club.
The key demands include handing over the Madan Saw playground to four areas, namely, Golflink, Lumshyiap, Pynthorbah, and Langkyrding. The Dorbar Shnong has also demanded job opportunities for locals in this regard as promised by the club during the fencing process.
The Dorbar Shnong claims that their members should have free access to the playground, especially for morning walks.
Rangbah Shnong of Golflink Michael Hek questioned if the Shillong Club can impose fees on visitors to enter and use the facility. According to him, it’s alright to have maintenance charges but it doesn’t make sense to charge residents.
Moreover, he alleged that there is now an independent functioning of the club without consulting the Dorbar Shnong.
Earlier, there were concerns about restrictions to hold community and church activities within the premises of Madan Saw playground. However, Hek pointed out that the playground was developed under a government scheme sponsored by legislators of the area.
According to him, it’s unreasonable to expect control over the areas developed by the government. Furthermore, they assisted in the fencing process and hence, cannot be controlled by anyone else, he added.
Claiming this situation to be “intolerable” he expressed his disappointment in taking the drastic measure in order to draw attention to the issue.
Meanwhile, Deputy Commissioner RM Kurbah has called both the parties for talks at her office on Thursday morning to solve the dispute.
