Shillong, Oct 16: The Khun Hynñiewtrep National Awakening Movement (KHNAM) has criticised a statement by Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma wherein he said yesterday that the Meghalaya authorities cannot guarantee a safe harvest of paddy in the dispute Lapangap village.
A clash there last week led to the death of one person from the Assam side. Villagers from the Meghalaya side had gone to harvest paddy when they were attacked by those from Assam who claimed the crop as their own. Yesterday, the CM said that the villagers’ safety has to be prioritised over the harvest.
However, today KHNAM said that this was a false choice as without a harvest a farmer would put him/herself and family members in mortal danger.
KHNAM also called for the border talks between Meghalaya and Assam to resume forthwith – new discussions are currently not expected to take place until after Assam state elections next year.
KHNAM argued that this approach would only perpetuate the suffering of Lapangap villagers, who have been caught in the midst of the border dispute. It demanded that the government provide compensation to farmers who have suffered losses due to the border dispute and ensure their safety and security.
