Amidst the tension in Khanduli due to recent clashes between Pnars and Karbis, Jaiñtia Autonomous District Council (JHADC) Chief Executive Member, Thombor Shiwat today said that the council was ready to assist Khanduli in establishing that the village falls under Meghalaya.
Speaking to this reporter today, Shiwat said that JHADC would help the Dorbar Shnong Khanduli with documents and maps to establish the boundary of the village.
“The Dorbar Shnong Khanduli can approach the JHADC on this matter. Even in the case of Mukroh, our executive committee has visited the village till zero point to establish that the village falls under Meghalaya,” he said.
Shiwat also said that the headman of Khanduli was affirmed by the JHADC and the village has a proper demarcation of its boundary.
The JHADC chief also expressed concern that during the recent clashes between Pnars and Karbis at Khanduli, the JHADC was not called to resolve the dispute whereas some pressure groups were invited which according to him could aggravate the situation.
Meanwhile, the Hynniewtrep Border Dispute Redressal Forum (HBDRF) in a letter to the Deputy Commissioner of West Jaintia Hills today said that the communal tension between residents of Khanduli village and the Karbis started since April 15 after the Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council set up the Entry Tax Gate at Khanduli village within the jurisdiction of Meghalaya and the destruction of the signboard of the Entry Tax Gate by residents of Khanduli on April 17.
“The district administration of West Karbi Anglong and West Jaiñtia Hills had a meeting on April 19, 2023 in Jowai to address the issue and also resolved to withdraw the gate in consultation with KAAC. The leaders of social organisations from Khasi-Jaiñtia region have urged the SP and DC of West Karbi Anglong on April 24, 2023 in a roadside discussion at the site of the Entry Tax Gate in Khanduli for the withdrawal of the Entry Tax Gate but till date the KAAC remained adamant and did not withdraw the gate and on May 6, 2023 they sent the workers for construction work but it was stopped by police from both states,” the HBDRF said.
HBDRF also said that fresh tension occurred in Khanduli on May 11 in which one Karbi man was assaulted by Khanduli residents after two thatched huts belonging to people of Khanduli situated in the paddy fields of the village were set on fire by eight Karbi miscreants.
“The Karbi citizens tried to harm one resident of Khanduli who was present in the paddy field but he slipped away from them. Khanduli residents rushed to the spot and managed to assault and injure one Karbi citizen while the other Karbis ran away. The vehicle of the SP of West Jaintia Hills was targeted by the Karbi mobs who pelted stones and got slightly damaged,” it added.
In view of the current situation, the HBDRF urged the West Jaintia Hills DC to coordinate with the West Karbi Anglong DC for convening a joint meeting of Karbi people and Khanduli residents in order to rebuild trust and confidence between them and also restore peace and tranquility in the border areas. The HBDRF also sought for steps to ensure the safety and security of the Pnar people living in Block-I areas.
