GUWAHATI: The Karbi Students’ Association (Bijoy Bey faction) has threatened to take the agitation route if any attempt is made to include Block I, Block II and Khanduli in the “areas of differences” on the Assam-Meghalaya border.
“Under any condition, Block I, Block II and Khanduli cannot be included in the areas of differences. Historically, these areas were demarcated for the purpose of creation of an autonomous state (in accordance with Article 244 A of the Indian Constitution),” Bijoy Bey, the president of the association, told The Shillong Times on Saturday.
“So if there is any attempt to include them in disputed territory, we have no alternative but to launch an agitation,” Bey said.
The inter-state boundary between Assam and Meghalaya as defined by the North Eastern Area (Reorganisation) Act, 1971 has been a bone of contention between the two states with 12 areas of differences.
Meghalaya chief minister Conrad K. Sangma had earlier this week informed the Assembly that documents could prove the state’s claims over disputed areas along the boundary with Assam.
“While Khanduli has a Karbi population as the majority, the residents of Block I and II are from mostly from the Nepali community, who want to remain in West Karbi Anglong. We want to Assam government to be proactive and not compromise with the villages in these areas. In fact, we had along with the All Assam Gorkha Students Union joinly submitted a memorandum to the Assam government recently in this regard,” Bey said.
There are about 500 villages across 1600 sq km area in Block I, Block II and Khanduli in West Karbi Anglong.
The KSA leader also alleged that people from the neighbouring state were encroaching on land in the district and thereby challenging law and order.
Construction of a border outpost allegedly by Assam police in the Umru area of the district had to be stopped last month after complaints from residents on the Meghalaya border and subsequent intervention of chief secretaries of the two states.