SHILLONG: The lackadaisical attitude of the State Government has allowed Assam to steadily gain ground in areas under Raid Nongtung.
Stating this during the visit of the KHADC MDCs on Tuesday, Syiem of Raid Nongtung, Meriwel Shadap alleged that while Assam continues to pump in developmental projects in the area, Meghalaya is all but a mute spectator to the sequence of events.
Addressing a public meeting at Madan Umwang during the visit of the KHADC MDCs, Shadap said that the people of the 14 villages are in a dilemma as both Assam and Meghalaya stake claim over the area.
Going back in time, the Syiem said that the 14 villages under Raid Nongtung, which is close to the inter-State border with Assam, remained neglected until the late 60’s, devoid of basic amenities like road, water supply and electricity.
“Fearing that majority of the land will go to Meghalaya after it was given an Autonomous State in 1969, the Assam Government pushed for various developmental projects in the villages under the Raid,” Shadap said adding that the projects included the construction of road, inspection bungalow and other infrastructures in the various villages, especially during the early 70’s.
While Assam continues to pursue its developmental projects in the area, Meghalaya has been dormant despite getting a full fledge State in 1972, Shadap said.
Shadap said that people of the area enjoy various developmental projects and schemes like the MGNREGS from Assam.
“However, each one of us would like to see a permanent solution to this boundary problem,” the Syiem of Raid Nongtung said.
Extortion by Karbi outfit
Rangbah Shnong of Umtlih village, P Masharing has revealed that a Karbi insurgent group has again started extorting money from the Khasi population residing in Block II.
He said that the members of Karbi People Liberation Tiger (KPLT) are openly demanding money and threatening the Khasi people who refused to meet their demands.
Masharing said that the outfit has demanded Rs 2000 each from every family in the village. “The outfit would not hesitate to kill those who refuse to pay money,” he said adding that the militants had threatened him too