The recent claim by Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma that the village of Mukroh, which falls within West Jaintia Hills, is part of Assam is completely unhelpful and unwarranted, KHADC Chief Executive Member Titosstarwell Chyne said today.
Sarma’s recent statement has been condemned in various quarters in Meghalaya. He had made it in response to a question from an Assam MLA.
Mukroh was the site of a massacre in November last year when Assam police crossed the border and shot dead five villagers and one of their own forest guards after a confrontation.
The village has never been disputed between the two states and does not fall within the stated 12 areas of difference that have been discussed in border negotiations.
Although Mukroh falls under the jurisdiction of the JHADC, Chyne has personally visited the village.
He said today that since the boundary talks between the two states are going on, he did not expect the Chief Minister of Assam to make such a statement that has only created misunderstanding between the two states.
“When you have taken the path of understanding and also concluded the first phase on the six areas of difference (between Assam and Meghalaya), even though there is some discontentment, and are proceeding with the second phase, then it would be better if such kinds of controversial statements are not made by either side,” Chyne said.
When asked if this is because Meghalaya is soft, he said that it is not about the government being soft but it is a case of bullying by Assam.
“I feel that the state government and the autonomous district councils should stand united and fight back to protect our rights,” Chyne added.
