By Our Reporter
Shillong: Despite failing health, the three ‘brave men’ of Langpih — 85-year-old Ninghain Samakha, 73-year-old Markasing Kharbani and Ephrim K Desaw — remain steadfast in their resolve to continue with their fast-unto-death until the State Government comes up with a satisfactory plan of action to resolve the long-pending inter-State boundary dispute at Langpih.
“We have suffered long enough and we don’t intend to suffer any longer. It is high time that the government does something to resolve the border dispute with Assam because we cannot continue to live in a state of fear and insecurity,” said Kharbani from his hospital bed.
Kharbani, Samakha and Desaw were admitted at the Shillong Civil Hospital on Thursday morning, after being referred from Nongstoin Civil Hospital.
85-year-old Samakha, who has been fasting since day one of the agitation, showed signs of severe dehydration with a low pulse count. However, despite his ill-health, he is adamant on continuing the fast.
“Be it Shillong or Langpih; in a treatment house or a fast camp, I will not back down so easily,” Samakha said, his resolve evident on his face.
Desaw, too, stated that they would continue the fast if the government remains silent and indifferent on the boundary issue.
Meanwhile, Nongkrem legislator and leader of the Peoples’ Movement, Ardent Basaiawmoit, who visited the three agitators at Shillong Civil Hospital on Thursday, asked the hospital authorities to provide separate rooms for the three men.
Besides, Basaiawmoit, members of the KSU and the Seng Longkmie also visited the three agitators and expressed their solidarity with the ongoing movement at Langpih.
