By Philip Marwein
Having signed the first border MoU between the two Chief Ministers Conrad Sangma of Meghalaya and Himanta Biswa Sarma of Assam on 29.3.2022 in New Delhi which was witnessed by the Union Home Minister, Amit Shah, now it is only logical for the two heads of states to complete the task from where they have left, no matter what may come. And that is exactly the people of the two states want, though a large portion of the Assam people may stand to lose because their border expansion designs might be put to a halt.
The first Phase (sectors) covered by the MoU was Hahim, Gigang, Tarabari, Boklapara, Khanapara, Pilangkata and Ratacherra which started by a joint survey led by Survey of India and assisted by Meghalaya and Assam Surveys with the erection of border pillars beginning from Rongthali village under Hahim area of Kamrup District. In the meeting of the two CMs at Koinadhara Guest House at Guwahati they agreed to complete the survey along with erection of border pillars in the first phase, which covers 2,700 sq. Kms, by August 15th, 2025 before taking up resolution of the remaining six areas (Sectors) of border differences with Assam.
The Second phase of border disputes between the two states which await to be settled (resolved) are Block-I & II, Langpih, Desh Domoreah, Nongwah-Mawtamur, Borduar and Khanduli – Psiar. Negotiations by Meghalaya’s CM with his counterpart on this phase is expected to be tough because it will involves vast stretch of prime fertile land inhabited by mostly Khasis and Jaintias with the exception of very few Garos and Nepalis in Langpih areas but the rest of the sectors are dominated only by Khasis, especially in Block- II, and by the Pnars or Jaintias thickly inhabited under the vast rich prime land of Block – I. To name some of the prominent villages under Block-II are Madan Umwang, Khlieh Umwang, Umtlieh, Sabuda, Jatalong, Umlaper, Ummat- I, Ummat -II, Pdeng Tliej, Umsder, Umhi, Umsiangtap, Umru, Parumkhen, Laru and others which I cannot remember right now as I write this piece.
Coming to Block – I, the villages under this Block are Khanduli, Nongjrong, Mushut (Mooshut), Lakaroi, Umphlang, Umbasu (Umbasoo), Madan Um-I, Raben, Mynriah, Muriap (Mooriap), Muknor, Lumpliah, Murap, Bandein, Dummu, Khyndeliar, Thangswat, Mynju, Mukhim, Nonkhara, Laher, Pdengshyrngan, Umsalait, Mulieh, Satpruid, Thanat, Pohmynshken, Phlang, Kyarabon, Samlang Wasu (Wasoo), Deinler, Phlephle, Aitshrieh, Muwakhain (Moowakhain), Rahiaiong, Thangrong, Malap, Mukoilum (Mookoilum), Jrilaskor, Mawjem (Moojem), Madanpaidong, Umwalieng, Umlaphiah, Umtyrpeing, Umnongrupa, Madan Mynthning, Tahpat, Salait, Lummujem, Muthade and Madan Nongkylla. Umkhyrmi, Myrten Lamarang, Mukhim Lyngdoh, Lakhaden, Khatkasla, Mawpud, Raksaw, Madan Paidong, Jrikyndeng, Umpung, Mulber, Langet, Amju, Sapiang, Khyndeliar, Myn-ni, Sarlong, Sutong and other villages which cannot be mentioned here for want of space. The above mentioned villages were taken away from the elsewhile Labang -Nongphyllut area under Nongphyllut Doloiship and were tagged to the proposed West Mikir Hills vide Notification No.TAD/R/31/50/148 dated and defined its boundary Notification No. Dated 13th April 1951. This was done by the then Government of Assam led by the then Premier (Chief Minister) Shri. Motiram Bora to facilitate numerical strength for creation of Mikir Hills and North Cachar Hills District.
Many of the inhabitants residing in many of the above-mentioned border villages had suffered many atrocities in the past in the hands of the anti social elements and undergrounds like the KNV, UPDS when they were taking shelter in West Karbi Anglong. Moreover, many Pnars residing in these border villages were either had to face Highandedness and even were beaten up and tortured in the hands of the Assam police stationed in the PoP and Beat Houses and even the Assam Forest Guards harassed and inflicted all types of inhuman manners which included extortion of money from the Pnars even if they entered their own forests to collect firewood or going to cultivate their paddy fields or cultivate their lands. Such types of harassment and ill treatments took place many times, even shooting down people like what had happened in Mukroh and Lapangngap and Langpih. That is why the Border people living in the above mentioned border of Meghalaya and Assam are crying before the Meghalaya government and long for urgent settlement of the remaining Phase- II by signing the second MoU between the two CMs of Meghalaya and Assam.
Though the negotiations may be tough for both CMs but with the mutual spirit of give and take and considering the present actual positions of both sides the only option left is to take whatever is possible and give what is possible or else a solution will never be reached even after 100 years.
