The MDC of Rambrai-Jyrngam constituency Bajop Pyngrope today slammed the Meghalaya government for its unpreparedness in the boundary talks with Assam.
Taking part in the reassembled autumn session of Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) here today, Pyngrope alleged that the Assam government recently betrayed Meghalaya at the meeting of the regional border committee where it was agreed that only seven officials from each state will attend the meeting.
“Seven representatives including the DC and the SP from Meghalaya went for the meeting unprepared, while there were more than 30 officials and representatives from the Assam government’s side right from the commissioner level at that meeting who came fully prepared and staked claims through a powerpoint presentation, etc,” Pyngrope said.
According to him, if the Meghalaya government is really serious to solve the boundary differences with Assam it should work vigorously with the District Councils and be fully prepared.
Pyngrope also lamented that despite the sanction of Rs 30 lakh from the KHADC and issuance of work order for the construction of the police outpost at Langpih under Hima Nongmynsaw, the Meghalaya government is delaying the work and now gave excuses of not being able to start the construction work because of the ongoing boundary differences talk with Assam.
“On the contrary, various developmental works by Assam are going on uninterrupted,” he said.
“The people of my constituency have also strongly opposed the proposed meeting of Chief Ministers of the two states at Langpih and wanted that the meeting should be at Kampaduli which is beyond Langpih,” Pyngrope said.
Meanwhile, the MDC of Mawhati constituency Charles Marngar ridiculed the recent visit of the members of the border committees at Khanapara that falls under the six areas of differences.
“During the visit, Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong kept asking the people there as to where the area falls and people who are more attached with Meghalaya would say Meghalaya while others said the area is under Assam. This resulted in complete chaos while those representing the District Council were nowhere to be seen,” he said.
Stating the meeting between the DC of Ri-Bhoi and DC of Karbi Anglong agreed that the developmental works along the border of the two states should not be interrupted, Marngar said the even the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) water scheme could not be implemented in the border area of his constituency while Assam’s activities like fencing, construction of transit camp, etc went ahead.
Marngar lamented the fact that the MDA government did not see the District Council as a body that can assist the government in resolving the boundary disputes.
He also said that one of the main causes of the disputes that erupted from time to time at the Khanapara area was because the land was sold illegally to non-Khasis by the Syiem of Raid Marwet.
He added, “We want to stick by the historical facts in solving the boundary differences with Assam and not by the give and take policy and the District Council have an important role to play. Traditional heads who are illegally selling lands to outsiders should be summoned and stern action must be taken against them.”
In response, KHADC Chief Executive Member, Titos Chyne said that the boundary committee constituted by the KHADC had prepared a 15-page report that will be discussed very soon and copies of the report will be sent to Chief Minister Conrad Sangma.
Chyne reiterated his stand that land falling under the KHADC will be the land falling under the jurisdiction of the Himas and Raid that are under the council as per the documents and historical facts.
He also informed the house that the KHADC has written to both the Assam and Meghalaya governments to halt the construction of the transit camp at Khanapara and also sent a reminder on the matter.
“We will also summon the Syiem of Raid Marwet for all the illegal activities of selling land to outsiders and stern action will be taken against him,” Chyne said adding that he will also discuss with the State government on the delay to construct the police outpost at Langpih.
