SHILLONG: The Coordination Committee on International Border (CCIB) has reiterated its protest against the proposed move of the State Government to erect the border fences on the stretch of land from Nongjri border pillar 1251 (East Khasi hills) to Jaliakhola border pillar 1299 (West Jaintia Hills).
Speaking to reporters after submitting a memorandum to Border Area Development Minister Prestone Tyngsong, CCIB spokesperson, GH Kharshanlor said, “We have demanded the State Government to carry out border fencing only after identifying the boundaries of the State. The State Government should realign the boundary pillars, as, currently the pillars are located in the wrong position… most of the Indian land has gone to Bangladesh.”
Kharshanlor reiterated that fencing should take place after boundary issues are resolved between India and Bangladesh.
“We have requested the State Government to approach the Centre to take up the border issue and not be hasty when it comes to border fencing,” he said.
He claimed that going by the existing boundary pillars erected at the borders, the State stands to lose around 200 acres of land.
In the memorandum the CCIB also stated that the landowners demanded realignment of the boundary line with Bangladesh so as to “bring back” all the plots of land belonging to the people of the State.
He pointed out that if the State Government fails to address the border issue, the landowners will not cooperate or participate in any survey conducted in future.
The members also expressed doubt over the assurances of the Minister in this regard as till date the border disputes have not been resolved.
Earlier, the CCIB had decided to boycott the survey for erection of fencing along the Indo-Bangla border in West Jaintia Hills.
It may be mentioned that the CCIB has been demanding erection of fencing along the Zero Line in the state’s border with Bangladesh. The CCIB also opposed the land boundary agreement in Bangladesh saying Meghalaya would lose a huge amount of land if the land swap agreement is implemented.
