KSU removes Assam signboards in Ri Bhoi border village

NONGPOH: Members of the Khasi Students’ Union (KSU) Eastern Border Area along with the leaders of North Khasi Hills District Unit and central body removed the signboards erected by the Assam government at Sabuda under Raid Nongtung in Ri Bhoi on Tuesday.
The activists said they were aggrieved by the continuous encroachment by the neighbouring state on the disputed bordering areas, especially at Raid Nongtung. The members also removed the ‘Welcome to West Karbi Anglong’ signboard erected by the Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council under Hamren, Assam, at Sabuda village beside the 4th APBN Border Outpost.They placed another board displaying the name of the village ‘Sabuda, Raid Nongtung, Ri Bhoi District, Meghalaya’.“The new signboard which had been erected recently by the Government of Assam through the Karbi Autonomous Council at Sabuda, which is solely under Raid Nongtung area in Ri Bhoi, had once again fired up the fear among the Khasi population residing in the disputed area over the high-handedness of the Assam government,” the KSU activists said and condemned the Meghalaya government for being a mere spectator.The KSU further added that Assam had always interfered in various developmental works being carried out by the people of the area but the Meghalaya government has taken no action except a mere conversation between the two districts’ deputy commissioners.
“The inaction against the illegal encroachment has encouraged the latter to continue encroaching,” they said.
Stevenson Kharkrang, organising secretary, NKHD, said the state government had failed to carry out any developmental work that allowed the Assam government to lure the poor populace. Road connectivity, electricity, water and sanitation and even the education sector are in poor condition till date.
“The Meghalaya government had once decided to set up police outpost at Sabuda or Madan Umwang to provide safety to the Khasi people but sadly this has not happened till date and even BJP in its election manifesto had mentioned that solving of border issues is its first priority. Till now nothing has been done though they are in power under the NPP-led government in the state,” Kharkrang said.
The pressure groups demanded that the state government solve the unrest between the two states so that people residing in these areas can live in peace and harmony. They also asked the Meghalaya government to take up the matter of encroachment with Assam.