The alleged arrest of two minor boys by Assam police from Mawsikar village, along the Meghalaya-Assam border in West Khasi Hills has attracted widespread condemnation.
The incident reportedly took place on July 16 at Mawsikar village when police personnel from Assam apprehended the minors — Lebarius Khardewsaw (12) and Bomes Khardewsaw (14) of Kyrdum village — while they were tending their cattle.
It was reported that with the intervention of the SDPO, Mawshynrut, police from Langpih outpost and villagers the two boys were released the same day.
However, this has fueled criticisms from Meghalaya side with the Hills State Peoples Democratic Party (HSPDP) stating that the move was to disturb peace and create a sense of insecurity amongst children.
The party said such acts may evoke hatred and misunderstanding between people residing in the borders. The constant harassment meted by Assam police has caused stressed in border villages.
“Assam police personnel do not see the difference between criminal and innocent children. The Right to freedom ensures that Indian citizens can carry out their daily lives peacefully without undue restriction, harassment, or oversight by the Government,” HSPDP, West Khasi Hills General Secretary Michael Thongni said.
He said that the party has written to Chief Minister of Assam Himanta Biswa Sarma with a prayer to maintain peace in the border area of Assam-Meghalaya.
While innocent people who have nothing to do with the border dispute are harassed and mistreated, Thongni said in reality the dispute is a matter to be solved and discussed by both the governments of Meghalaya and Assam.
He also said that this is not an international border issue that needs to be defended with arms or forces, but it’s an issue that can be solved peacefully.
“We also urged the CM of both the states to speed up the discussion of ending this dispute and bring a permanent solution,” he added.
Meanwhile, the FKJGP Langpih Area Unit also condemned the incident and said such acts by the neighbouring police will affect the minors mentally and socially.
The FKJGP called the move by the Assam Police a “barbaric act”.
Reasoning that such acts will instill apprehensions among the locals in the border area, the organisation has asked the state government to take up the matter with the Assam Government immediately.
