Villagers' prevented Oscar from laying foundation stone

Shillong, Jun 12 (UNI) Visiting Union Minister for Statistics and Programme Implementation Oscar Fernandez today cancelled his trip to Umbir village for layibng foundation for an orphanage for children of those parents infected/afflicted with HIV/AIDS.

Mr Fernandez cancelled his visit after panic-stricken villagers staged a protest against the construction of ''Maitrigram village'' or Orphanage by Maitri- an organisation headed by Winnie Singh wife of the Director General of Assam Rifles Lt General Bhoophinder Singh.

The villagers opposed the construction fearing security problem in future.

''The villagers have decided not to allow them (Assam Rifles) to go ahead with the construction of the orphanage'', Umbir Headman Hamletson Nongbsap said.

However, Maitri Chairperson Winnie Singh told UNI over phone that her organisation has deferred foiundation stone laying due to ''political interference'' over the proposed orphange.

''They (villagers) are not against the construction of orphanage but they opposed it due to political pressure'', Ms Singh said.

UNI RRK PC AKP1827