HT Bureau
DIPHU, Sept 7: The Joint Co-ordination Committee for Protection of Autonomy (JCCPA) has convened an all party and socio-cultural organisations meet to discuss the boundary issues and to counter the ‘give and take policy’ reportedly adopted by the Governments of Meghalaya and Assam in resolving the inter-state boundary here at Diphu Club on Wednesday.
The house resolved that the people of Karbi Anglong cannot accept the ‘give and take policy’ adopted by the two Governments. It has also resolved to urge the Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council (KAAC) to convene a special session to discuss the boundary issue.
There were around 48 members from various political parties and social organisations including women’s organisations participated in the meeting to express their views and opinions.
Former minister of Assam, Holiram Terang said, “The boundary with Meghalaya has been well defined through Assam Government notification of 1951 and there is no point of bringing the issue again. The Meghalaya is just claiming that in some parts of Karbi Anglong there are Khasis living. If Meghalaya is claiming those areas then we can also claim those areas inside Meghalaya where Karbis are living. This is not the solution. It should be based on fact and on documents.”
Former executive member, KAAC, Humsing Bey said, “We need to send a strong message to both the Governments of our opposition against the give and take policy. We should not compromise on boundary issues.”
General secretary, Karbi Nimso Chingthur Asong, a Karbi women’s organisation, Kajek Tokbipi stated KNCA’s support of JCCPA and will cooperate on the boundary issue.
The general secretary of another faction of KNCA, Protima Enghipi also expressed that there should be no compromise. A joint movement should be launched to protest the moves of the Governments. The chief minister of Assam, Himanta Biswa Sarma should be asked as to why he has agreed to the give and take policy without taking into the concern of the stakeholders i.e., the people of West Karbi Anglong and Karbi Anglong.
Convenor, JCCPA, Khorsing Teron said after agreeing on both sides the boundary was demarcated in 1951. In 1969 when Meghalaya became an autonomous state there was no boundary issue and in 1971 when Meghalaya has declared a full-fledged State also there were no disturbances regarding inter-State boundaries.
Teron said, “If it says there is a boundary dispute, it is invented or made by some vested group of people.”
Teron also said that it has resolved in the meeting to lead an all party delegation to meet the chief executive member (CEM), KAAC, Tuliram Ronghang to urge him to convene an all party meeting and also call for a special session.
A joint delegation will also meet chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on the boundary issue. If the Governments fail to resolve the boundary issue then a strong joint movement has to be launched.
Secretary, CPI (ML) – HPC, Robi Kumar Phangcho; president, KSA, Samson Teron and others were present at the meeting.
