Ka Sur U Paidbah Ka Bri Hynñiewtrep today submitted a memorandum to Chief Minister Conrad Sangma related to the grievances faced by the people living on the inter-state border with Assam.
Secretary of the group, Egenstar Kurkalang, said that the people residing along the whole stretch of the inter-state border are continuously facing atrocities, exploitation, and discrimination due to the ignorance and negligence of the Meghalaya government administration and other government machinery.
He said that the people residing in the disputed Block I, Block II, Western Ri-Bhoi, Langpih area and other parts of West Khasi Hills are living a miserable life and suffering from untold hardships as their rights have been denied.
“The people in the border area have not only been denied ownership rights over their land, but their traditional rights of local self-governance and are also being ignored in terms of the public distribution system, educational facilities, electricity supply, road connectivity, social welfare scheme (ICDS), healthcare, rural employment guarantee scheme (MGNREGS) and many other central and state government benefits,” he said.
He also said that according to the people of Elaka Labang-Nongphyllut, Elaka Raliang Doloiship, Myntri Doloiship, Khyrim Syiemship, Mylliem Syiemship, Sohiong Lyngdohship, Nongwah-Mawtumur Sirdarship, Nongspung Syiemship, Nongkhlaw Syiemship, Rambrai Syiemship, and Nongmynsaw Syiemship, much of their agricultural land and forests have been encroached on due to lack of protection.
“We learn from the local people that they have made several complaints, apprised and requested the concerned authority, including the district council and state government through their local MLAs and MDCs and the Chief Minister to address their grievances and protect their rights but have got no response to date,” Kurkalang said.
