From Our Correspondent
NONGSTOIN: Members of the Hima Raid Mynsaw, Langpih submitted a copy of the memorandum — they had given to Chief Minister Dr. Mukul Sangma earlier– to the Deputy Commissioner, West Khasi Hills, S Kharlyngdoh and the Superintendent of Police R Muthu at Nongstoin on Friday. The memorandum was more in form of a complaint about Assam officials interfering in the construction and developmental processes at Langpih. They also expressed their shock at the sudden visit of the officials from Assam on Sunday last. The members of Hima Raid Mynsaw also apprised Kharlyngdoh that if no solution was reached at the DC level meeting on May 25, they would begin the construction processes at Langpih on their own for the greater interest of the local populace.
The delegation also requested the authorities to check the influx of non-locals in the area. They mentioned that influx of outsiders were on the rise since 2010.
It may be mentioned that the situation in Langpih had become tensed once again after the Assam government voiced its oppositions against ‘illegal construction’ by Khasi residents at the disputed area. Infact, on Sunday, a team of Assam officials led by SK Roy, Deputy Commissioner of Kamrup and Superintendent of Police PS Mahanta, had visited Langpih in the presence of R Muthu along with the EAC of West Khasi Hills to inspect some ‘illegal construction’ by Khasi residents. In the course of the inspection, construction of the community hall of Hima Raid Mynsaw Sirdarship was also forcefully stopped.
“The Assam Government had claimed earlier that they had every document to prove that Langpih belonged to them. On this matter, the Meghalaya Govt has been silent so far. So should we take their silence as an acceptance that Langpih actually belongs to Assam?,” questioned a local resident.