Representatives of 41 dorbar shnongs from the disputed Langpih area have informed the state government, ahead of the second phase of border talks with Assam that they all want to be part of Meghalaya.
The delegation of sordars and headmen led by secretary of the Synjuk ki Nongshynshar Shnong Nongmynsaw Syiemship, Serbilin Lyngdoh met with West Khasi Hills Deputy Commissioner Garod S.N Dykes and made their demands clear that their land must be included in Meghalaya as part of the border resolution talks with Assam.
The first phase of negotiations has proven controversial as many villages are angry at having their land given over to Assam. While many claim that they were not consulted, the government line is that all stakeholders gave their inputs. Perhaps to make doubly sure that this controversy does not crop up when their villages are discussed between the two states, the villages under Langpih sector have made it abundantly clear that they wish to be part of Meghalaya.
“We are resolute in our demand that all the 41 villages should be under Meghalaya’s jurisdiction and we have also submitted the list of villages under Hima Nongmynsaw Syiemship,” Lyngdoh told reporters.
He said before the West Khasi Hills regional committee visits Langpih as part of the second phase of border talks with Assam, the synjuk would like to hold a meeting with the members of the committee, government officials and stakeholders in Nongstoiñ.
The synjuk also urged the deputy commissioner, who is also the member convener of the regional committee that after the meeting the district magistrates, officials of the Sub Divisional Officer of Mawshynrut civil sub-division and Gramsevaks should collect to verify maps, schemes implemented in those villages and others.
“We hope that the regional committee will listen to the voice of the people because they want to be included in Meghalaya,” Lyngdoh said.
Besides the map and other land documents, the Hima Nongmynsaw Syiemship also listed names of all the villages with a population of 15, 903 that should be included in Meghalaya.
These are, Mawdiangsnam, Langpih, Umyiap, Umpha, Umtap, Domtiewsaw, Umbah, Dariphang, Miangbyrkong, Umwahsiang, Umwali, Umbyrsit, Mawsikar, Madanjaiaw, Iew Nongma, Mawlan A, Mawlan B, Pyndensohstap, Mawiamsyiem (Dong Umnai -Petchlang, Dong Krongsyiem, Dong Mawkynthei , Dong Umsum) Nongmawlong, Nongmawlein, Nongsohram, Umdiangsiar, Nongma, Kompaduli, Noapara, Bangjeng, Mawdiangkob, Warigro, Talimara, Umthli, Umdiangphiang, Dronpara (Nongdron), Hahsym, Umkhamdor, Umriang (Amriangkona), Borkhuli, Mawblang(Padulipara), Doledonga, Ukiam and Sohmarang.
