Jowai, Jan 27: Residents of eight villages located along the zero line on the Indo-Bangladesh border in West Jaiñtia Hills district have voice their opposition to fencing, who say that this puts farmers at risk of losing their farmland.
Residents of Pasadwar, Kamsing, Jaliakhola, Lumpyngngad, Sankhat, Hawai Bhoi, Hawai Sutnga, and Lum Sohrmen today gathered for a meeting near the border outpost at Jaliakhola, which was attended by Waheh Shnongs under the banner of the Phra Shnong Social & Welfare Association, leaders of the Co-Ordination Committee on International Border (CCIB) led by General Secretary Kmen Myrchiang, MDC Jamshaphrang Pohtam, land owners and farmers.
During the meeting concerns were raised on the impact of the border fencing on agriculture as villagers expressed fears losing their arable lands. They urged the government to take cognizance of the matter to ensure that the fencing is erected on the Zero Line.
According to the residents, they would stand to lose their farmland if the government begin fencing from Muktapur-Jaliakhola-Pasadwar (Border Pillar No 1283/7s) to border pillar No 1301/4s.
A resident of Muktapur, A. Buam said authorities have begun constructing a road in order to begin with fencing work without prior consultation with the villages.
Locals accused Dolloi of Elaka Satpator, Daman Lakashiang of handing over land for construction of the road without the knowledge of farmers.
