From Our Correspondent
NONGSTOIN: The Assam Government on Thursday deployed its Commandos at Langpih on Thursday to monitor the construction of a market complex undertaken by the West Khasi Hills district administration.
It is suspected that this deployment is a show of strength by Assam aimed at creating a sense of insecurity in the minds of the residents of Langpih, under the Raidmynsaw areas.
The commandos have also been deployed with the intention of interfering in the construction of the market complex, which has been vehemently opposed by Assam.
Talking to this scribe, SK Hoojon, a resident of Langpih, informed that a truck-load of Assam police commandos arrived to Langpih market on Thursday at around 12:30 pm.
“Soon after their arrival some members of the commandos went straight to the site of the ongoing Langpih market construction whereas others got busy in setting up a makeshift camp at a house belonging to the office of the Hima Raidmaynsaw. The house is owned by Nongstoin legislator Hopingstone Lyngdoh who had bought it a few years back.”
Another villager, on condition of anonymity, said that the Assam Government is showing aggressive traits in connection with the Langpih border issue, by taking advantages of its size of the population and landscape.
“Unless the Central Government comes up with a immediate settlement of the vexed border issue, it can be forecast that soon more innocent blood would be shed on both sides of the border,” the villager added.
When contacted, West Khasi Hills Superintendent of Police, R Muthu, said that the deployment of more State forces in the area depends on the approval of the Police Headquarters and the Meghalaya Government.
“The tension is there only because of the construction of the market complex,” Muthu said, while adding that Meghalaya has already posted a police platoon in the controversial area.
He also stated that both Assam and Meghalaya have decided to conduct joint patrolling in the area.
Meanwhile, State Home Minister HDR Lyngdoh, when informed of the latest
developments in Langpih, stated that he was not aware about the deployment of Assam Commandos at Langpih.
It may be reminded that on Tuesday, Meghalaya police personnel had prevented a team of Assam police officials from inspecting the construction site at Langpih, following which both sides met in Langpih on Wednesday, where Assam protested to the construction of the market complex by the West Khasi Hills administration.
However, the Meghalaya officials had reiterated that the ongoing construction work would continue as the State was adhering to the status quo agreement while initiating the developmental work at Langpih.
The area has been a bone of contention between both the neighbouring states with each side laying claims on the area.