SHILLONG: A conglomeration of traditional heads, landowners and NGOs has asked the State government to put on hold the ongoing survey for the proposed fencing along the Indo-Bangla border.
The group, under the banner Coordination Committee on International Border (CCIB), has also taken up the issue of imposition of Section 186 of the IPC, which prohibits anyone from obstructing a public servant in discharging his duties, in the border areas.
Speaking to media persons here on Monday, CCIB spokesperson G.H Kharshanlor said the group demanded revoking of Section 186, which was imposed by West Jaintia Hills DC Arunkumar Kembhavi.
Kharshanlor said the survey started on September 14 after restrictions were imposed and would continue till September 30. The committee would continue to protest till the State government settled the issue, he added.
Stating that Section 186 came as a surprise to the group members, Kharshanlor said, “We have never created ruckus when government officials come and survey the area. But it is the right of the landowners and headmen to express their displeasure because realignment of the boundary line with Bangladesh is yet to be properly identified.”
A CCIB delegation will meet the governor and the chief minister in this regard and the body will hold a general meeting at Dawki on October 1.
CCIB secretary Kmen Myrchiang condemned the Jaintia Hills Autonomous District Council (JHADC) for granting no objection certificate (NOC) for the survey without the consent of the traditional heads.
While asking both the Centre and the State governments to honour the 1958 agreement between India and erstwhile East Pakistan, now Bangladesh, he said the State should not stand to lose acres of land to the other side.
Meanwhile, KSU president Daniel Khyriem also reiterated CCIB’s demand and said the survey should be immediately stopped “as it is being conducted without the presence of landowners and a proper survey should be conducted taking the affected landowners into confidence”.
Those living along the Indo-Bangla border in the State have opposed the survey saying if fencing from 150 yard is allowed, Dawki and Muktapur would go to Bangladesh.
