By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: The State Government will write a letter to Pynskhemlang Nongshlong, who is spearheading the ongoing fast-unto-death at Langpih, informing him about the steps taken by the government to resolve border dispute with neighbouring Assam on Monday.
Informing this over telephone, Home Minister HDR Lyngdoh said, “We wanted to send the letter as soon as possible. But since the offices are closed being a weekend, the Government would be able to despatch it only on Monday”.
The Home Minister hoped that Pynskhemlang along with others would call off their fast-unto-death once they receive the letter.
Pynskhemlang on Friday made it clear to Home Minister during the latter’s visit to Langpih that they would withdraw their ongoing agitation if the government gives them a written assurance to resolve the border dispute.
Terming his visit to Langpih ‘partially successful’, Lyngdoh said a positive response was received from the agitators who are on fast since June 30.
Lyngdoh said the residents of the area wanted upgradation of the existing Meghalaya police outpost which according to them will “bring about a much needed sense of security amongst local residents.”
“To this I told them that the matter is under active consideration of the government but since the area is a disputed one any action of the government has to be weighed properly,” Home Minister said.
“This long standing problem cannot be resolved overnight,” he said adding that the present government was taking all necessary steps to ensure that boundary dispute with Assam is resolved.
“I told the agitators that this time round the government has prepared adequate documentary evidences to stake its claim over Langpih but the same has not been accepted well by Assam,” he said adding, “I think we will now have to urge the Centre to intervene more expeditiously. In fact our Chief Minister has already written to the Prime Minister and Union Home Minister seeking their intervention.”
So far eight hunger strikers have been hospitalised including two aged persons – Ninghian Samakha (85) and Marka Sing Kharbani (72). Both Samakha and Kharbani are admitted to Shillong civil hospital.
Others who participated in the hunger strike and already taken to Shillong for treatment were — Ephrem Khardewsaw (33), Brim Tarius Marthong (27), Teiborlang Marwein (22), Tailan Marwein (26) and Maining Nonglang (36) — all from Mawsikar village near Langpih. “Doctors are observing the health condition of Nongshlong and all those present in the camp,” sources said.
2 Shillong teachers to stage 30-hour fasting, prayer: Meanwhile, after the residents of Langpih, now teachers from Shillong have decided to resort to 30-hour fasting and day-night prayer demanding an early solution to the long pending border dispute between Meghalaya and Assam.
The 30-hour-long prayer and fasting under the banner of Meghalaya Upper Primary School Teachers’ Association (MUPSTA), which will begin on Monday at 11 am, will culminate on Tuesday at 5 pm. The venue is main gate of the State Central Library.
The MUPSTA in a letter to the Chief Minister Dr Mukul Sangma informed that the association’s general secretary Kenneth Shadap and O Lyngodh will participate in the prayer and fasting.