HT Bureau
DIPHU, May 13: All political parties, socio-cultural and literary bodies, students, youth, and women’s organisations meeting was convened by chief executive member (CEM) of Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council (KAAC), Tuliram Ronghang, on border issues between Karbi Anglong and West Karbi Anglong. The meeting was held at Arboretum cum Craft Centre, Matipung here, where it was resolved to form a ‘Local Vigilance Committee at Am-ih with members from neighbouring villages to bring peace and normalcy to the area.
The border meeting with all stakeholders was convened in the aftermath of the Am-ih incident on the Assam-Meghalaya inter-state border in West Karbi Anglong on May 11, where miscreants from Meghalaya entered the village and indulged in arson. In the attack, two people from Langhemphi were injured by miscreants from the other side.
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In the meeting, the stakeholders agreed to accept the Regional Committee formed by the Border Protection and Development Department, Government of Assam, for West Karbi Anglong to examine the area of differences between Block I, Block II, and Khanduli-Psiar in West Karbi Anglong.
The committee is headed by minister water resources and etc., Pijush Hazarika as chairman, along with executive member (EM), D Uphing Maslai and Rina Terangpi, Member of Autonomous Council (MAC), Avijit Kro, Headsing Rongphar, and guardian secretary, IAS, GD Tripathi, as members, and DC, West Karbi Anglong, ACS, Krishna Baruah, and member convenor.
A resolution was taken that an all-party delegation will meet Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma to apprise him of the tense situation in Am-ih and adjoining border villages and seek a permanent solution to the inter-state border problem.
Informing media persons after the meeting, the CEM said, “Today we had a meeting on border issues with all stakeholders comprising students, youth, women, socio-cultural organisations, and political leaders. We have adopted a resolution to accept the Regional Committee set up by the Border Protection and Development Department. We will stick to the 1951 Government of India notification’s natural boundaries demarcated with Meghalaya.”
He said, “The 10,434 sq. km of present Karbi Anglong land, which was defined by Survey India during the Meghalaya state re-organisation in 1969 and when full-fledged state was granted in 1971, we will stick to it. Not an inch within the specified boundary will be given to others.”
On the queries asked by several persons about whether the Block I and Block II areas, which are under the 6th Schedule districts of West Karbi Anglong, are really included in the ‘give and take’ agreement between the governments of Meghalaya and Assam, the CEM said, “The ‘give and take’ agreement is being implemented in other areas, but not within the 6th Schedule districts of Karbi Anglong and West Karbi Anglong. Land in 6th Schedule districts here belongs to KAAC. Without its permission, land cannot be given.”
The stakeholders in the meeting also condemned the miscreants from Meghalaya who have attacked innocent people at Am-ih. During the discussion, various leaders from different organisations and political parties gave their views.
Elwin Teron, adviser to the CEM, suggested forming a border vigilance committee and having a media cell in the committee to counter the wrong information reported in newspapers in Meghalaya. Border areas should be strengthened by improving socially and economically.
Former MP Jayanta Rongpi said it is not a border issue as the boundary was demarcated in the 1951 notification.
“When Meghalaya was created in 1961 and a full-fledged state in 1971, there was no objection. It is not a border problem, but a one sided aggression,” Rongpi said.
He said that there should be a sense of security and that confidence-building measures should be taken. The miscreants that are creating the situation in border areas should be identified and dealt with.
Former MP Birensing Engti said road connectivity and other development should be taken up in border areas. A joint delegation of all political parties and social organisations should meet the CM.
A villager of Langhemphi, Anthony Teron, who participated in the discussion, said a patrolling team of BSF should be deployed in bordering areas like Langkeroi, Tapat, and Langhemphi.
KSA president Thangsing Timung and others mentioned the neglect of border areas and the lack of response by the state government to development in border areas.
MP Horensing Bey, MLAs Rupsing Teron, Dorsing Ronghang, and Bidyasing Engleng, and leaders of various organisations also gave their views and suggestions.
