‘Don’t grow cash crops in disputed area’
JOWAI: The headman of Umkhyrmi – a Karbi village on the disputed Block-I area in Jaintia Hills, has issued a directive to the Khasi-Pnar farmers residing in the area prohibiting them from cultivating in the area under the jurisdiction of the village.
The headman, Fredrick Timung, in his letter informed the headman of Saba, a Khasi-Pnar village, that all farmers should be prevented from sowing any kind of crop except paddy.
“Farmers belonging to Khasi Pnar community will not be allowed to rear cattle or grow any other kinds of vegetable or crops. They will also not be allowed to construct any kind of huts,” the letter states.
The letter also states that the Umkhyrmi village committee will take no responsibility for any problems arising out of non-compliance of the order.
In this regard, the KSU Jaintia Hills Unit met the West Jaintia Hills Deputy Commissioner on Wednesday and demanded that a temporary police camp should be set up at Saba village to provide security to the farmers belonging to the Khasi-Pnar community.
The Union also requested the deputy commissioner to take immediate action so that the people residing in the area do not face any hardship while working in their own lands.
