SHILLONG: The Hill State People’s Democratic Party (HSPDP) has suggested referendum to solve the boundary dispute with Assam.
Speaking to a section of the media, HSPDP president KP Pangniang said, “Party members will meet Chief Minister Conrad Sangma to suggest the call for referendum after he returns to the state.”
The HSPDP members have already met Revenue Minister Kyrmen Shylla.
Maintaining that a permanent solution has eluded the state even after 45 years of its formation, Pangniang said, “This is what we see in West Khasi Hills, areas of Langpih, Block I and Block II and Ri Bhoi. The government has been working hard to search for documents showing the boundaries of Meghalaya and Assam but it leads to nowhere.”
“I have a very clear and short message – it is better to call for a referendum on boundary dispute and inform all the locals residing in the 12 areas of dispute. The governments of both the states should not decide, neither the court nor the Constitution but the referendum,” he added.
The total disputed area on the Assam-Meghalaya border is approximately 2,729.14 sqkm. There are 12 areas of differences which include Tarabari (4.69 sqkm), Gizang (13.53 sqkm), Hahim (3.51 sqkm), Langpih (298.07 sqkm), Borduar (147.83 sqkm), Boklapara (1.57 sqkm), Nongwah-Matamur (137.51 sqkm), Khanapara-Pilangkata (2.29 sqkm), Desh Doomreah (487.72 sqkm), Block I and Block II (1,547.42 sqkm), Khanduli-Psiar (76.80 sqkm) and Ratacherra (11.20 sqkm).
“The people are getting used to living on both sides (Meghalaya and Assam). Now, let the people decide and choose only one – whether they want to be in Meghalaya or Assam using the spirit of referendum,” Pangniang reiterated and added that neither Assam nor Meghalaya will lose any land and “it will solve the boundary dispute once and for all”.
Earlier, there had been reports of harassment by Assam police and skirmishes among residents. Recently, the arrest of villagers at Malangkona in West Khasi Hills by Assam police had prompted several residents to flee their home.
During a recent press conference, secretary of Tyrso Valley Wildlife Protection Society Alos Nongpoh alleged that the Assam government has identified tourist sites at Umru.
