Unrest in Block II along Assam border
on Tuesday. (ST)
SHILLONG: Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) has proposed to serve an ultimatum to the state government to take adequate measures for the safety and security of the villagers residing in Block-II along the inter-State border of Meghalaya and Assam.
Tabling the proposal on the floor of the House, Ardent Miller Basaiawmoit, CEM, also suggested that a joint delegation of MDCs from both the ruling and Opposition should meet the Chief Minister in this connection.
“MDCs would hit the streets if the Government fails to address the problem,” he said.
“This is the only way to put pressure on Government to take necessary action. Otherwise, our people residing in the inter-State border would continue to be subjected to various kinds of atrocities and harassment perpetrated either by Assam Police or by Assam-based militant outfits,” Basaiawmoit said while replying to a motion moved by Jirang MDC James Sylliang on the second day of the Council’s Summer Session.
Responding to the proposal of Basaiawmoit, Opposition leader Pynshngaiñ N Syiem suggested that a committee should be constituted before the joint delegation meets the Chief Minister.
To this, Basaiawmoit said that they could constitute a committee which would monitor the steps taken by the Government towards their demand.
“Considering the urgency and seriousness of the matter, I do not think it is a wise idea to constitute a committee since it would lead to further delay. I can call a meeting of all the MDCs where we can discuss the issue,” the CEM said.
Earlier, moving the resolution Sylliang informed the House that a Karbi insurgent group has restarted extorting money from the Khasi population residing in Block II.
As per reports, Sylliang said that the members of Karbi People’s Liberation Tiger (KPLT) were openly demanding money even as threatening the Khasi people who refused to meet their demand.
He said that the outfit demanded Rs 2000/ from each family residing in the area.
Sylliang also alleged that the Assam Police outpost in Sabuda had been providing shelter to the militant group instead of providing security to the local villagers.