A rally organised by the Hynñiewtrep Youths Council (HYC) against the memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed between Meghalaya and Assam to conclude the first phase of their negotiations on the dispute border drew huge crowds in Patharkhmah, Ri-Bhoi, today.
However, the pressure group’s plan to hold a public debate on the issue had a less than enthusiastic response from the invited dignitaries who are backing the deal, namely the Chief Minister, Jirang MLA and members of the government-appointed regional committee, who gave the event a miss.
Many residents along the interstate border are strongly opposed to agreement between the two states as much of their land, which they want to belong to Meghalaya, has been signed away to Assam.
Today’s rally was also attended by HYC leaders, who condemned the CM and cabinet ministers for signing the deal “blindly” without consulting traditional bodies and landowners in the areas affected.
The government, however, has constantly defended the deal, saying that it had consulted all stakeholders while blaming the previous Congress-led government for not including certain villages in Meghalaya’s claim back in 2011.
The HYC was unsatisfied with the argument, saying that the CM lied to the people of Meghalaya by stating that the boundary settlement was done in accordance with historical facts and the willingness of the residents.
The pressure group also claimed that, according to information it received through a Right to Information (RTI) request, villages under Sector 6 around Baklapara belong to Meghalaya, yet the current government turned over two such villages – Jimbrigoan and Lyngkhung – to Assam under the deal.
