NONGPOH: Aggrieved by the frequent extortion bids by the Assam-based Karbi People Liberation Tiger (KPLT) on the people of Block-II areas in Meghalaya, the KSU North Khasi Hills district unit and the Synjuk Ki Rangbah Shnong Raid Nongtung has demanded setting up of a permanent police battalion camp at Madan Umwang/ Sabuda for providing security and protection to the people who have been terrorized by the militants.
A delegation of SRS, Raid Nongtung under the leadership of Syiem of Raid Nongtung, Paiem Miwel Shadap, SRS president B. Sohtun, KSU NKHD president Ferdinand Kharkamni and KSU NKHD general secretary Vincent Makri, among others, submitted a joint memorandum to Ri Bhoi Deputy Commissioner Pooja Pandey on Monday afternoon.
According to the memorandum, the KSU and the SRS said that the State of Meghalaya has enrolled the voters in Block- II since 1973-1974, whereas majority of the people from the Nepali and Karbi communities have been fully enrolled in Assam from 1982 onwards.
Recently, Block Level Officials from Assam forced people from the Khasi community, who are already enrolled with Meghalaya, to re-enroll themselves in the electoral rolls in Assam, in blatant violation of the Election Commission norms.
The memo stated that the people residing in these areas were being terrorized by the militants operating here like KPLT, KNV etc.
“It is a pity that farmers and other people who are barely managing their daily needs are being served with demand notes. There is no law and order or sense of security among the people,” it stated.
The memorandum lamented that the people living in these areas have no basic infrastructures and were being neglected and ignored by both the states.
The KSU and the SRS said that the dispute between Meghalaya and Assam has brought confusion in the mind of the people residing in these areas.
“There is uncertainty over possession of land as there is frequent encroachment and conflict from both sides,” the memo stated.
The KSU and SRS also urged the State Government to provide concession in the form of free registration of land holdings and pattas of these people living in the border areas and Raid Nongtung as well as to run a bus service from Thadrang to Shillong for providing easier mode of transportation and accessibility for the people living in the disputed area.
The memorandum urged the government to make plans and policies by giving more attention for the development of these areas so that Meghalaya can strengthen its claim to these areas.
Responding to their demands, the Deputy Commissioner assured that she would take up the matter with the government.