Border people getting land registered with Assam: CM

SHILLONG: Chief Minister Dr Mukul Sangma has said a large number of people, residing along the inter-State border with Assam, are getting their land registered with Assam government while reiterating the state government’s demand for constitution of the border commission.

“I have received inputs that majority of people who have acquired land pattas from traditional institutions like the Hima and Syiem have registered their land with Assam,” Dr Sangma said while replying to a question raised by HSPDP legislator KP Pangngiang during the Question Hour in the State Assembly on Tuesday.

While expressing concern over this trend, the Chief Minister said he had already taken up the issue with Assam Government.

While replying to a supplementary tabled by HSPDP legislator Ardent Miller Basaiawmoit on atrocities meted out against the local villagers by Assam Police personnel, Dr Sangma said, “The Government is aware about it, The deputy commissioners have also been asked to take special precaution to avoid any untoward incident in the inter-state border.”

While referring to the area of differences, Dr Sangma said both the States have agreed that no new settlement would be encouraged along the area of differences.

“Developmental work must be allowed to go on. The developmental work would be initiated after informing the counterparts,” he said.

The Chief Minister said that Government in 2011 had submitted documents to claim ownership of various disputed areas to Assam Government.

“The Assam Government has sought time for studying the documents,” Dr Sangma said.

Meanwhile, he informed that the negotiations to resolve the long pending issue is still continuing at the Chief Secretaries level.

“The State Government is also continuing to take up with the Centre to take steps for creation of the Boundary Commission,” Chief Minister said.

Police outpost: The Chief Minister said that Government has taken up with the Union Home Ministry on the need to upgrade the existing police outposts along the inter-State border with the Assam.

“We are thinking of setting up new police stations in many of the areas along the border belt,” Dr Sangma said while replying to a supplementary by UDP legislator Paul Lyngdoh.

He said Government was also planning to relocate the existing police outposts to some strategic locations where it can cover a huge area.

Dr Sangma said Government is also looking to strengthen the police force in the militant-infested areas.