Shillong, March 16: The Opposition today asked the Meghalaya government to resolve the inter-state boundary imbroglio with Assam to ensure that by the time the hill state celebrates its golden jubilee year, it would not be rejoicing without having a proper boundary demarcation.
Meghalaya will celebrate its 50 years since it achieved statehood, in 2022.
Participating in a general discussion on the budget, Hill State People's Democratic Party (HSPDP) legislator K.P. Pangniang said nearly 500 square kilometres of land falling under his constituency of Rambrai-Jyrngam in West Khasi Hills has been "occupied" by the Assam government. He also demanded more security for the villages along the inter-state border.
For decades now, the inter-state boundary dispute between Meghalaya and Assam has been hanging fire.
There are at least 12 areas of difference between Meghalaya and Assam. These include Langpih, Upper Tarabari, Gizang reserve forest, Hahim, Borduar, Boklapara, Nongwah-Matamur, Khanapara-Pilangkata, Deshdemoreah, blocks I and II, Khanduli-Psiar and Ratacherra.
They cover an area of around 2,700 square km of which the two blocks cover around 1,500 square km. The areas under the 500 square km, which Pangniang pointed out, include Gizang reserve forest, Hahim, Upper Tarabari and Langpih.
He also demanded the setting up of border outposts along Malangkona, Kyrshai and Langpih.
"There should be an immediate solution to the boundary dispute with Assam. We have been talking about 50 years of celebration of Meghalaya as a state. But we first need to resolve the dispute first. Otherwise how can we celebrate the golden jubilee of the state without having proper boundaries?" he asked.
On his part, HSPDP legislator Ardent Miller Basaiawmoit demanded security cover for all the headmen of the villages along the inter-state border.
"The headmen are under constant threat from militants and Assam police. I think the government should arrange necessary security cover for all the headmen," he said.
Blockade
Residents of Mawshabuit village today put up a blockade outside the gate of 58 Gorkha Training Centre (GTC) as they were apparently perturbed by the restrictions imposed on their movement via a route located in the area.
The village is located on the outskirts of Shillong.
Defence public relations officer Group Capt. Amit Mahajan said security of all defence establishments had been recently enhanced across the country. Consequently the security on the 58 GTC campus had also been beefed up due to the ongoing security situation, he said.
Mahajan said a meeting was organised with the headman of Mawshabuit village, located adjacent to the campus to sensitise him of the security situation.
"The headman was requested to extend cooperation of the villagers to ensure a smooth security situation. To facilitate easy entry and exit of residents of Mawshabuit village - with an assurance that right of way to the locals would not be stopped - the list of village personnel and vehicles was to have been given to the 58 GTC by the headman," Mahajan said.
However, today, during routine checking of vehicles which were not from the village, local residents put up a blockade outside the Dronacharya gate of the 58 GTC, he said.
On being informed, Mahajan said civilian authorities rushed to the area and a meeting was held at the 58 GTC. Steps to resolve the issue were also discussed. Later, the civil administration officials dispersed the agitators.
