The Synjuk Ki Rangbah Shnong Raid Nongtung has urged the Ri-Bhoi deputy commissioner to take necessary steps to deal with the continued harassment of four villagers of Jatalong by Assam authorities.
In a letter to the deputy commissioner today, the headmen’s body said that the Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council (KAAC) on November 22, 2022 erected the foundation stone for construction of Inspection Bungalow of its Forest Department in Jatalong village without the consent or knowledge of the Dorbar Shnong Jatalong. It also said that the KAAC erected the foundation stone in the land owned by the Jatalong Presbyterian Church.
The Synjuk said that in fit of anger, the local villagers of Jatalong destroyed the foundation stone erected by KAAC.
After the incident, Assam police registered the case against four residents – Walking Lynshiang, Proming Surong, Phrilin Mynsong and Donbok Nongspung.
The Synjuk also stated that on November 14, 2022 it has requested the Ri-Bhoi deputy commissioner to ensure that there is neither any arrest of the four local villagers nor any legal wrangle from Assam against them.
“On December 15, 2022, a meeting was held in Forest IB, Jatalong where senior IAS and IPS officers from both Assam and Meghalaya including the DGP of Meghalaya attended the meeting. After the meeting, the DGP met us in Mawlasnai police outpost and told us the Assam police will neither initiate any legal action nor arrest the people involved in destruction of properties belonging to Assam including the destruction of the foundation stone erected by Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council in Jatalong. However the assurance made by the DGP of Meghalaya seems to hold no value presently as the Assam government is still pursuing legal action against our people till date,” the Synjuk said.
It also recalled that a delegation from the Synjuk met the Ri-Bhoi deputy commissioner in March 2023 and the superintendent of police in August 2023 immediately after the four villagers received court summons from Assam.
During the above meeting, the Synjuk said it was assured that there will be no threat of arrest or any legal action against the four villagers.
“On January 8, 2024, the Village Defence Party (VDP) of Madan Umwang and KAAC forest officials came to Jatalong and enquired about the four villagers and one of the VDP member identified as Birbol Adhikari even asked for the photograph of the four villagers. The Synjuk met the in-charge of Mawlasnai outpost on January 9, 2024 and informed him of the enquiry by the VDP member,” the Synjuk said.
“In view of this, the Synjuk appeals to you to take up with the Assam government for arriving at a logical end to the issue,” the Synjuk said in the letter to the deputy commissioner.
