SHILLONG: The Co-ordination Committee on International Border (CCIB) has flayed the State Government for unleashing a ‘divide and rule’ policy among the residents along Indo-Bangla border where some landowners have agreed to the fencing while others are opposing it.
It was learnt that those who will receive compensation for the use of their land for fencing in the area of 11 metres are not opposing the move whereas the border residents whose land is in the midst of the 150 yards are against fencing.
The CCIB is opposed to the idea of fencing without a clearly demarcated international boundary.
“The state government through the DCs wants to ‘divide and rule’ the public. As an indigenous group we don’t want to lose our land,” CCIB secretary Kmen Myrchiang told reporters after the hearing on border fencing on Thursday.
“We are not against fencing but once it is done, we don’t want our land to be outside the fence. There are many areas which are outside the pillar and such lands belong to us as per documents available and issued by the District Council,” he added.
In this connection, he urged the State Government to examine the boundary matters so that residents do not lose their land, most of which are arable, to Bangladesh.
“Legislators should speak out on the issue. The CCIB is against the state government’s move to give away land without resolving the boundary issue,” Myrchiang said.
Referring to Deputy Chief Minister R.C. Laloo’s statement that 225 acre of land will be gained, Myrchiang asked, “Where is the land in question? There is about 595-600 acres of land which will be lost after fencing is done from zero line. If the fence is erected beyond 150 yards then thousands of acres of land will be transferred to Bangladesh.”
Myrchiang alleged that the Bangladesh Government and its people are encroaching into Indian territory. He said, “The reference pillar is now converted to main pillar. People can go to Dawki and see for themselves.”
A section of the reporters also spoke to acting Sordar of Raid Rongnah under Nohwet village, S. Khongsar, who along with 16 land owners agreed to the fencing beyond 150 yards.
He said, “We are satisfied with the fencing beyond the 150 yards as illegal immigrants often steal agricultural produce. Arecanut, jackfruits, logs etc., are stolen and we are left with very little. They usually come during the day time when we are busy in our fields or at night.”
If fencing is done it can mitigate some of our problems.
