Meghalaya Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) Secretary and MDC of Rambrai Jyrngam, Bajop Pyngrope, has rubbished the claim of Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma that it is Meghalaya that has encroached on territory belonging to its bigger neighbour.
“When Meghalaya was carved for the Khasi, Jaintia, and Garo people, then why would our people encroach onto Assamese land when they have their own lands in the border area? If there are no Assamese or Rabha or rightful indigenous people from Assam settling or inhabiting the border areas of Meghalaya, why would Assam want to claim these lands settled by the rightful indigenous people of the state?” Pyngrope told Highland Post.
Instead, he said, a group of people with vested interests are using communities that are not Assamese, nor rightful landowners nor even Indian to stake a claim to Meghalaya territory and further vote-bank politics.
He also disagreed with Sarma’s suggested give-and-take policy when it comes to resolving Assam’s disputes with neighbouring states. It would also be counter-productive to try and trace land documents going back to the state’s creation in 1972 as this was far too long ago. In its place, Pyngrope was of the opinion that it should be carefully studied which villages along the Meghalaya-Assam border fall under the jurisdiction of the three district councils operating in Meghalaya and make sure that Assam does not meddle in these.
Both sides have a lot to gain from resolving the 49-year-old dispute, with the MPCC Secretary predicting that the relationship between the two states will blossom if this matter can be solved.
Meanwhile, he also welcomed the optimism shown by those in the Meghalaya government that the differences will be sorted out.
“We support and give the MDA (Meghalaya Democratic Alliance) a big congratulation if they resolve the long-pending border dispute because the game of political parties has to stop for the betterment of the people in the border areas, state and entire North East,” he said.
However, he was far more cautious on the visit of Union Home Minister Amit Shah, who is scheduled to arrive in Meghalaya on July 24.
According to Pyngrope, Shah is untrustworthy as he did not speak a word to Meghalaya’s representatives when they travelled to New Delhi to discuss the controversial Citizenship Amendment Act, which was vigorously opposed in this state.
If Shah comes to Meghalaya with other motives and not to discuss the Inner Line Permit (ILP), it will just be a waste of money that has to be spent by the state exchequer for all the arrangements and security cover of the guest.
“Our people are not agitating for development, like airports, railways, roads, etc, but they are agitating and asking for ILP from Amit Shah, so what’s the point if he comes and ignores the top-most aspiration of the people of the state?” he added.
