From Our Correspondent
NONGSTOIN: Activists on fast-unto-death at Langpih on Wednesday out rightly rejected an assurance letter from the Meghalaya Government saying that the letter did not address any of the demands that the agitators have put forth to the Government.
“The assurance letter only contains more promises,” the agitators said, while rejecting the same.
The agitators alleged that when Home Minister HDR Lyngdoh visited Langpih he had made some promises to them and left only to come up with more promises without any results.
“Nowhere in the letter does the Government provide a specific date as to when the issue would be resolved,” the agitators said.
They also complained that the letter did not even bear the signature of the Chief Minister in the first place clearly exemplifying how ‘important’ Langpih was to him.
The agitators lamented that their very own Chief Minister was not keen enough to solve the prolonged border issue with Assam. It is noteworthy that the assurance letter was signed by F Kharlyngdoh, Secretary to the Govt. of Meghalaya (Political Department). The agitators had, earlier, written to the Chief Minister demanding a specific date be provided to them as to when the Langpih dispute would be mitigated.
“We had given a list of demands that were genuine and needed immediate intervention and action from the Meghalaya Government but all our efforts and aspirations have gone into thin air,” Pynskhemlang Nongshlong said on Wednesday.
The agitators had asked that the assurance, if any, should bear the signatures of representatives of both the governments of Meghalaya and Assam.
The agitators made it clear that they would remain steadfast in their resolve and continue their agitation till they die.
“At least we will keep our side of the promise,” the agitators said.
It may be noted that the assurance letter, addressed to the fasting activists, mentions that the State Government will take up the matter relating to obstruction of construction activities such as extension of individual dwelling units and community infrastructure such as Durbar halls and market complex and other developmental works. The letter also mentions that a special developmental package has been initiated for the areas bordering Assam.