From Eric Calvin Ranee
SABUDA: Toughening their stands against the State Government, the Synjuk Ki Rangbah Shnong (SRS), Raid Nongtung has threatened to boycott the forthcoming assembly elections “If the government fails to resolve the long pending border dispute and the ongoing problem pertaining to EPIC.” The SRS comprised of rangbah shnong from 12 villages — Ummat, Umlaper, Pdeng Tleit, Umsder, Umshangktah, Umru, Jatalong, Sabuda, Umtliheh, Madan Umwang, Khlieh Umwang and Itpatung. These villages fall under Block-II area of Assam and Meghalaya border.
The decision to this effect was taken at a meeting held on Monday at Sabuda, about 80 kilometers from Nongpoh. The meeting was attended by all the village heads.
Disclosing this, the SRS chairman and Sabuda Rangbah Shnong B Sohtun said people living in these 12 villages are regularly harassed by the officials of forest and police departments of the Assam government.
The affected villages fall under Mawhati constituency and Umsning Block of Ri Bhoi District.
The residents of the villages under Block-II along the Meghalaya-Assam border are reportedly directed by the Assam authorities to use EPIC cards issued by the Assam’s election department.
The SRS chief said earlier some of the residents under the area of dispute had votes in Meghalaya and Assam as well but after the recent directive of the Election Commission of India that one person one vote they have decided to vote only in Meghalaya.
He also said they have decided not to adhere to the directive issued by the Assam’s election department
He said people have to take permission from Assam government for construction of houses and they are also being levied taxes from time to time by the Assam officials for reasons best known to them.
