Shillong, Jan 21: Meghalaya is celebrating 54 years of statehood, after it was carved out of Assam, but the state still lacks a fully demarcated boundary with its neighbour.
This point was raised in a press release today by the Hynniewtrep Border Dispute Redressal Forum (HBDRF) on behalf of the people living in areas disputed between Meghalaya and Assam.
“We have seen much violence and tensions in the border areas and many civilians have lost their lives,” the HBDRF said. “Many women have been turned into widows and children into orphans because of the border dispute. In that time governments have come and gone, different parties have been in power, different ministers, Deputy Chief Ministers and Chief Ministers have held power.”
During elections each one promises to resolve the issue but nothing ever gets settled, it added, blaming carelessness and neglect by officials and politicians.
“So, on this 54th anniversary of statehood, we remind the government to take serious and immediate action on the border issue as it pertains to the interests of the border people,” the HBDRF concluded.
