KHADC team visits M’laya-Assam border areas
SHILLONG: While insisting that the Council is not the authority to bring in a permanent solution to the inter-State boundary dispute with Assam, KHADC CEM Ardent Miller Basaiawmoit has said that the main intention for the visit of the MDCs is to infuse a sense of security among the local villagers residing in various villages within Raid Nongtung along the inter-State border.
“We have not come here to provide a lasting solution to the pending boundary problem with Assam. Our main concern is the safety and security of the local villagers residing along inter-State border,” Basaiawmoit said while addressing a public meeting at Madan Umwang during the visit of the KHADC MDCs from both the ruling and Opposition to the villages along inter-State border on Tuesday.
According to him, the main objective of this visit is to get first hand information about the problems being faced by the people residing in these areas
The KHADC CEM also said that the MDCs from both the ruling and Opposition for the first time have jointly visited these areas with a noble intention to show the sign of solidarity with the villagers.
“We are aware about the various harassment and atrocities which are being meted out against the local villagers either by Assam police or the militant groups from the neighbouring State. But I am of the view that it is time for the villagers to resist any such attempt,” the KHADC CEM said.
While assuring the support from the side of the Council, Basaiawmoit said that they would impress upon the State Government to take adequate steps for the safety and security of the people residing in the villages along inter-State border of Meghalaya and Assam.
He also requested the local villagers to inform the Council if there is any incidents of atrocities and threat especially by the Assam-based militants in the near future.
Informing that he also represents a constituency which has a total number of 108 villages which fall under the disputed areas with Assam, Executive Member in charge Elaka, KP Pangngiang said that he fully understands the problems of the people along inter-State border.
Meanwhile, Jirang MDC James Sylliang hoped that the various atrocities and harassment against the local people would come to an end.
“I am deeply concerned about the safety and security of the villagers,” Sylliang added.