By Our Special Correspondent
Shillong: Langpih, the border village between West Khasi Hills district of Meghalaya and Kamrup district of Assam, has been the bone of contention between the two states for decades.
The flashpoint happened on May 14, 2010 when Assam police randomly fired to disperse two warring groups. As a result of police firing four people were killed and 12 injured.
The one-man judicial enquiry into the police firing by Justice (Rtd) PC Phukan submitted its report to the Assam Government in March this year. But the report is yet to be made public.
Even while the Chief Secretary level talks are coming up on May 24 next, the Kamrup district administration seems to be moving at a furious pace to demolish any symbols of development by Meghalaya along the disputed areas.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Dr Mukul Sangma who has his hands full handling different battles on different fronts said that he has apprised the Union Home Minister, P Chidambaram about the latest incident where the Dorbar Hall of Hima Raid Mynsaw was demolished by the Kamrup administration.
“I have briefed Union Home Minister P Chidambaram on the matter. What happened on Saturday is unfortunate as it shows that our neighbouring state is not honouring the commitment of allowing the two chief secretaries to work out a settlement,” Dr Sangma said.
When asked why it is so difficult to resolve the Langpih issue since Assam is a Congress-ruled state and Meghalaya too has a Congress-led government, Dr Sangma said that was the reason why there is need for a referee who can ensure an equitable solution.
“Merely flexing of muscles will not work. We have to work within an acceptable framework,” the Chief Minister said.
FIR lodged against Kamrup DC
Ms Lenaris Kharbani, a victim of the Assam Police lathi-charge, has lodged an FIR at the Nongstoin Police Station at Nongstoin against SK Roy, DC of Kamrup district of Assam, our Nongstoin Correspondent adds.
The FIR alleged that on May 19, 2012, following the orders of the DC of Kamrup, vehicles filled with villagers belonging to the Rabha tribe and the Nepali community from Assam came to Langpih escorted by the Assam Police and destroyed the Dorbar Hall of the Hima Raid Mynsaw.
The FIR further alleged that the DC displayed the order permitting to demolish the memorial structure at Langpih. When the women questioned the order, the DC ordered the Assam police personnel to lathi-charge.
Meanwhile, the OC of Nongstoin Police Station has filed a case under Section 42(5), Sec 448, 427, 325 and 34 of the IPC.
Following the lathi-charge, Ms Kharbani had gone to the Police outpost at Langpih to lodge an FIR there but she was turned away. Denied justice, she made her way to Nongstoin and lodged the FIR.
In the incident that transpired during the lathi-charge, Ms Kharbani and two other women – Ledina Synshiang, widow of Late Ekros Rani and Pairian Rynniaw widow of Late Charles Lyngkhoi, victims of the Assam police firing in 2010 – were man-handled by the Assam Police and were hurled abuses at.
It may be mentioned that both the West Khasi Hills Superintendent of Police R Muthu and the Additional Superintendent of Police GD Kharwanlang are on leave. The OC of the Nongstoin Police Station is currently the highest police authority handling the situation in the district.
It may be noted that Ms Kharbani is currently undergoing treatment at the Nongstoin General Hospital for injuries she sustained during the lathi-charge.
Govt to take up Langpih ‘demolition’ issue
with Assam: Pariat
Taking strong note of the recent incidents that have transpired at Langpih, the State Government on Monday asserted that it would take up the matter with Assam during a meeting between officials of the two states slated to take place on May 24.
Chief Secretary WMS Pariat informed that the meeting will be part of the Chief Secretary-level talks where both state will discuss the matter to clear the doubts over the recent incidents.
The Chief Secretary stated that both the states had signed an agreement whereby each state was supposed to give prior intimation to the other state before carrying out any activity at the disputed Langpih territory.
“We are not clear whether any prior intimation was given to us before they carried out the demolition activities,” he added.
The Chief Secretary also hoped that the recent turmoil in Langpih whould not affect the ongoing talks between two states to solve the vexed border issue.