The Hynñiewtrep Integrated Territorial Organization (HITO) today said that the State government should prioritise establishment/upgrade of police stations and outposts in disputed areas along the Meghalaya-Assam border.
Drawing the attention of Chief Minister Conrad Sangma to the prevailing condition in Mukroh, Psiar, Khanduli, Umlaper and other villages located in disputed areas under East Jaiñtia Hills and Ri Bhoi district, the organisation said the State has witnessed increased violations in these areas.
However, they said, “Surprisingly out of 19 proposed new sites, there are two in Ri-Bhoi and one in East Jaiñtia Hills which are the current hotspots of clashes.”
HITO said, “Our own brothers and sisters are facing undue hardship and trauma due to the domineering attitude of Assam police that is engaged in repeated threats, intimidations, extortion, and other criminal activities due to encroachment.”
Stating that the recent Cabinet decision in June which culminated into an official order from Police Headquarters dated 15th June 2021, seeking the “latest crime figures for the last 5 (five) years” for requisite data collation as part of the exercise for the creation of Police Stations/Outposts in various parts of the State, HITO said that the government should prioritize the establishment/up gradations of the said police outposts/stations.
HITO stated that though the locations and justification for establishment and up gradation of these facilities do not make sense and that the administration appears to retreat into its own territory while Assam has been actively engaged in creating infrastructure breaching the territorial integrity of the people.
However, the organisation called for an undivided attention from the Chief Minister to resolve the border dispute.
