Shillong, Sep 22: Cabinet minister and Jirang MLA Sosthenes Sohtun has called for stronger police presence and better-equipped police outposts along the Meghalaya-Assam border to ensure residents are not subjected to threats and intimidation.
“As an MLA from the border I also have a message to convey to the government, especially to the police, that especially in the border areas where issues arise, the police outposts or police personnel should be further strengthened to ensure that our people live in peace,” Sohtun said.
His remarks came after an incident in Maikhuli on Saturday, when a group allegedly came to the area and attempted to close a gate leading to Maikhuli playground and threatened residents.
Sohtun said he was informed about the incident by the Rangbah Shnong and a women’s organisation, following which he alerted the administration and police and also spoke to Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma and Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong.
He said police personnel were subsequently deployed to the area to ensure the safety of residents.
Sohtun visited Maikhuli on Monday to assess the situation and met village leaders, women’s organisations and other Rangbah Shnongs from the Meghalaya side. He said residents expressed concern over the incident.
“Yesterday I went to assess the situation and what happened and who were those who came to threaten and to show force in that place… the Rangbah Shnongs expressed that there is fear,” he said.
The minister said residents had also sought permanent deployment of police personnel in the area. He said he had taken up the demand with the Deputy Chief Minister, who directed the SP and DC to look into the incident and assess the steps required for permanent police presence.
Sohtun said the government’s priority was to ensure that people living along the border could go about their lives without fear.
“From the government side it wants the residents living on the border to live in peace and be free from any threats and attacks or intimidation,” he said.
Clarifying the location of the dispute, Sohtun said the playground falls under Maikhuli village and alleged that the group had attempted to forcibly encroach into the area.
“We went yesterday because their coming was such that they wanted to threaten and intimidate but after that the district administration and the residents of Maikhuli stood together and ensured that these people just came to forcibly encroach, it is not their own place,” he said.
He also cautioned against viewing every incident along the border as a boundary dispute, saying some people could be attempting to take advantage of the situation.
“Sometimes there are people who want to take advantage to make an issue out of the situation…the residents have their own apprehension because always the people living within our State want to live in peace and do not want any conflict,” he said.
On the second phase of the Meghalaya-Assam boundary talks, Sohtun said the government should expedite the process so that the two chief ministers can resume discussions to resolve the remaining areas of difference.
“From the government side it has taken responsibility since the first phase and I also hope that in this second phase now I request the government as well as from my side being in the government I will talk with the Committee to expedite so that both Chief Ministers can hold talks to resolve the boundary again in this second phase,” he said.
