HANM hardens stand
By Our Reporter
Shillong: Nongkrem legislator Ardent Basaiawmoit has demanded the immediate resignation of Home Minister HDR Lyngdoh over the vexed issue of Langpih in West Khasi Hills.
Basaiawmoit criticised the government for its inability to protect the locals of Langpih while condemning the Assam government for its high-handedness and use of force.
Calling upon the people of the state to unite for the cause, Basaiawmoit said “We need to express our solidarity with the people of that area while demanding the government to settle these border disputes for the safety and security of the people residing in the border areas”.
Coming hard on the government for adopting a one-sided show of power, Basaiawmoit said during recent arson cases in the city, the state police organized flag marches as a mark to ensure security to the people but the same has not been done in Langpih where the matter is far more serious.
KSU demands swift action
Meanwhile, the KSU central body has also condemned the high handedness of the Assam government stating that it is not the first time that such incidents have occured.
“This is no more the issue of encroachment but just a method of the Assam Government to flex its muscles on the people of Meghalaya arousing a sense of fear and insecurity among the residents of border (Assam-Meghalaya) areas”, KSU president Daniel Khyriem told reporters here on Tuesday.
Turning to the construction of a road at Khanduli which was disrupted by the Assam police, the KSU leader said this is another tactic of the Assam government to spread fear among the residents of the border areas claiming ownership and authority over the land belonging to Meghalaya.
“The continuous DC level, CS level meetings between the two states has been practiced only in theory. I wonder when will the state government get down to business and start showing concern about the safety of its citizens”, he said. The union has further demanded the state government to strengthen security in the disputed border areas of Meghalaya and Assam.
Our Correspondent adds from Nongstoin
With the ongoing imbroglio at Langpih, the Hynniewtrep Achik National Movement (HANM) in a meeting at Nongstoin announced that the organisation would be compelled to take the matter into their own hands if the Government is unable to resolve the issue soon.
The Langpih issue will be discussed at a Chief Secretary (CS) level meeting on Thursday.
Arphul Kharbani, HANM’s West Khasi Hills president said that the time was perfect at the moment to solve the Langpih issue as the government at the Centre, Assam and Meghalaya are all from the Congress party and the best amicable solution to the problem could be reached at. He also said with elections due next year, the fate of Langpih could decide the fate of the Congress-led government in Meghalaya.
Talks at CS level were also held earlier but no solution could be reached at. An agreement to this effect was also signed respecting each other’s boundary and non-interference in developmental works after intimation to one another. However, Assam ignored the agreement and began developmental works at Langpih. Meghalaya side followed suit and resulted in the recent demolition and obstruction of the market complex earlier.