The kind of assault meted out on Khasi youth over the weekend is not unusual but a common event along the Meghalaya-Assam border.
This was stated by Thomas Passah of the Hynniewtrep Border Dispute Redressal Forum (HBDRF) to Highland Post.
At least three people were injured at Jatalong village in the disputed Block II area on Friday night. The incident sparked tension in the area as police personnel from both Meghalaya and Assam reached Jatalong to disperse the crowd. Yesterday, Ri-Bhoi Additional Deputy Commissioner MB Tongper said the incident was not communal but due to a misunderstanding between two groups during the purchase of liquor.
“Why incidents like these continue to take place while the border settlement talks between the two state is in progress?” Passah asked.
Stating that the Assam government should arrest all those involved immediately so that the border resolution process between the two states is not affected, he said that the HBDRF condemns this attack and the Meghalaya government should fulfill the demand to set up police outposts close to border areas, especially in those places disputed with Assam.
