A boundary pillar was thrown outside the Main Secretariat and another at the office of the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council by members of the Hynñiewtrep Achik National Movement (HANM) today in protest against the alleged installation of these pillars by Assam.
After throwing the boundary pillars in both the places, members of the pressure groups dispersed as they shouted protest slogans against the State government.
Security forces deployed outside the Main Secretariat building immediately locked the main gate.
It is allegedly that the Assam government had installed these boundary pillars in villages under Hima Jirang recently.
Residents of the villages under the Hima had alleged that Assam has put up the boundary pillars in Umshru, Umshalani, Amring, Narling, Domupaham, Patharkhaïong villages.
Umshru village does not fall under area of dispute between Assam and Meghalaya.
HANM president Lamphrang Kharbani said their action was to question the State government on how the boundary pillars of Assam landed in Meghalaya’s territory.
“What is the reason Assam already erected boundary pillars were erected even as the two states have sent their Memorandum of Understanding signed to the MHA,” he questioned.
Kharbani criticized the KHADC and said it has failed as a watchdog. He said while it failed to protect the boundaries under its jurisdiction it has failed in protecting the indigenous people. “Therefore, its existence is questionable,” he added.
He said both the government and the district council should be answerable to the people.
