The Hynñiewtrep Border Dispute Redressal Forum (HBDRF) today met the the Chief Electoral Officer of Meghalaya, Frederick Roy Kharkongor, with a representation to include the Khasi-Jaintia villages in the electoral rolls of the state.
The forum said that villages falling under the disputed Block 1 that are home to Khasis, Karbis and Nepalis have requested that they be included in Meghalaya’s electoral rolls.
The Khasi-dominated villages are Nongjrong, Moorap, Mynniah, Madan Myn-i , Mooriap, Syrlong, Laher, Umsalait, Mynju, Bandein, Mooknor, Khyndeliar, Phle-phle, Phlang, Arbon, Lamarang, Deiñler, Thangrong, Moolaiñ, Moobhar (Moojem), Sapiang (Moojem ), Chnongthymme, Moopud, Lum Moojem and Madan Nangkylla.
The Karbi-dominated villages include Rtiang Sanohaw, Tadolangso (Stong lapar), Langkumwei, Langhemphi, Rongpangbong, Umbaso, Kroo Arong (Chnongkroo), Chenan Cherop, Tahpat, Wapung, Samatan (Rongkhelan), Umkhyrmi, Mookoilum, Moothade, Tibh and Inghinlangso.
The Nepali-dominated villages include Moorawi, Khoolaphiang and Umpawiang.
The forum said that, to date, all the villages falling under the disputed Block 2 area (Raid Nangtung) have been included in the electoral rolls of Meghalaya irrespective of the dispute.
Similarly, the forum said that the villages in Block 1 should also be included in Meghalaya’s electoral rolls. These villages have so far been ignored by both states and thus deprived of basic necessities, such as roads, electricity, schools, healthcare, etc.
Since the people there do not vote, legislators are prone to ignoring them and they are not brought any developmental progress, which would change if they are allowed to vote in Meghalaya’s elections, the HBDRF added.
