The Hynñiewtrep Border Dispute Redressal Forum (HBDRF) has received information from the residents of Mukroh that authorities from Assam constructed a road within the jurisdiction of the West Jaiñtia Hills village and, in the process, cut them off from their paddy fields.
In a press statement today, HBDRF spokesperson Thomas Passah said that the villagers have also reported that the roadworks carried out by Assam are almost like boobytraps – several deep holes have been dug into the roads and these have been covered with branches and leaves seemingly to injure those using the roads.
“This is pure suppression by the Assam government against the weak and spineless government of Meghalaya,” Passah, who is also an HSPDP member, said.
He added that the Block Development Officer of Thadlaskein, who went to inspect these claims on January 16, was prevented from doing so by people from the Assam side.
Passah has warned that if the Meghalaya government does not address the matter and reinforce the state’s position with police at the earliest, the HBDRF will be forced to take steps on its own.