Editor,
During the last two years since the killing of four people in Langpih bordering with Assam on May 14, 2010 by the Assam Police, our people started realizing the danger of encroachment by Assam into our land. The session of the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council held on June 19, 2012 discussed the border issues with Assam. The people’s movement led by energetic Nongkrem MLA Ardent Basaiawmoit had also organised a ‘sit-in-demonstration’ besides other forms of agitations like picketing, public rallies etc. During the Hill State movements of the sixties of last century, I recall people like (L) Sher Ngun Khriam (Bah Ngun), (L) Ma Hobel Rynjah, (L) Ma Isos Rynjah, (L) Ma Osiris Lyngdoh, (L) Ma Lebenon Kharkongor, the Myntri of Hima Mylliem and my father, (L) Besingh Lyngdoh Nongpyiur. These men used to discuss animatedly about the Hill state movement.
After we attained statehood, Ma Lebenon discussed the boundary issue and about the villages of Kamakhya (Lum Meikha), Beltola and Besistha which fall under the jurisdiction of Hima Mylliem. He made it clear that the new state should first settle the boundary issue. It seems that our leaders then forgot about the demarcation of boundary with Assam. To some extent, the people from Shella and War areas of Hima Khyrim Syiemship came and settled in places like Umling, Niangbari, Byrnihat, Khanapara and areas around Nongpoh. The Assam people could not encroach into our areas then like they did now as in Khanapara. Now, it is high time to look into this matter once and for all. The state government, the District Councils of Khasi and Jaintia Hills, the Syiemship, Doloiship, Sordarship, Rangbah Shnong or any individual who has documents of land ownership should submit them to their respective District Councils and to the state government for final settlement of land boundary dispute within the State of Meghalaya and Assam as well as with the neighbouring country, Bangladesh.
Another issue affecting our state is infiltration from Bangladesh as has happened in the Bodoland Territorial Areas District (BTAD) recently. The recent articles written by Naba Bhattacharjee ( ST August 8, 2012) titled ‘Tackle influx before situation goes beyond redemption’ and by Ananya S Guha (ST August 9, 2012) titled ‘Wheels within wheels: India’s North East’, show that the writers are concerned about influx from Bangladesh. I think it is about time that the Khasis and Garos now realize the danger of becoming minorities in their own state as has happened with Tripura. The Inner Line Permit should be implemented in Meghalaya as is prevailing in states like Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram and Nagaland. Manipur government had re-introduced the ILP which was abolished in 1950 after Manipur merged with India. The state government should send police forces and other border wings to guard the boundaries of Meghalaya. Last but not the least, our young generation should be alert and aware of our community and its land inherited from our forefathers. They should prevent the same from being encroached upon and stop further alienation. All political parties should fight unitedly to sort out the boundary issues with Assam and the neighbouring country, Bangladesh.
Yours etc.,
IS Mawrie
(Laitjem Village, East Khasi Hills)
Flee not, fight back
Editor,
I am still unable to come to grips with the fact that the Indians of one region of India are unsafe in another part of the same country. The people from north-eastern states who are fleeing from Chennai, Bangalore, Mumbai, Pune and other cities of India should not be branded as cowards. On the contrary, the governments at the Centre and States are to blame for their inability to book those perpetrators who are a threat to the safety of the peace-loving people of North-East India residing in states outside the north-eastern region.
My heart goes out to my fellow-Indians who are under death threats, and I condemn the cowardly acts of the mischief mongers and the traitors of India. Let us join hands together as Indians, gather the much-needed courage and not only fight this menace but also nip it in the bud once and for all.
Yours etc.,
Omar Luther King,
New Delhi