SHILLONG: The Hynniewtrep Achik National Movement (HANM) said the state government should call upon the district councils and Hima chiefs (Syiem) to prepare documents related to the boundary between Assam and Meghalaya to resolve the lingering border dispute between the two neighbouring states.
HANM held a sit-in demonstration at Additional Secretariat parking lot on Wednesday. The solution to the border dispute has eluded the state for 47 years.
Speaking to The Shillong Times, president of HANM Lamphrang Kharbani said it is the responsibility of the state government to resolve the inter-border dispute of Meghalaya-Assam by collecting necessary records and document on the matter.
He said the organisation will meet the state government after February 27. They threatened to intensify their agitation if the state government does not arrive at any decision on the inter-state border dispute.
“The sit-in demonstration is to pressure the state government to solve the inter-state border dispute. We remember our own people who lost their lives in 2010 at Langpih and now on February 14, the incident of harassment of Khasis at Langpih resurfaced,” he said.
He observed that the absence of proper demarcation of border for Meghalaya and Assam is the reason behind the skirmishes in the border areas of Meghalaya and Assam.
Kharbani maintained that the state government should start implementing developmental projects in the villages located in border areas. Most of the border areas in the state are deprived of basic amenities and crucial infrastructure such as education, electricity and roads.
“Police stations and police outposts should be set up in the border areas which will not only be for security of the people but overall protection of land. The Assam government has 3 police outposts in Langpih whereas Meghalaya has only 1,” he added.
With the state getting close to its Golden Jubilee year while also burdened with a number of pressing issues, HANM threatened to boycott the 50 years celebration, if it takes place.
He said, “How can we celebrate 50 years of statehood in the absence of proper boundary? If there is no solution, we will boycott the celebration, if there is any.”
The total area of differences on the Assam-Meghalaya boundary is approximately 2,729.14 sqkm. There are 12 area of differences which include Tarabari (4.69 sq.km), Gizang (13.53 sq.km), Hahim (3.51 sq km), Langpih (298.07 sq.km), Borduar (147.83 sq.km), Boklapara (1.57 sq km), Nongwah- Matamur (137.51 sq.km), Khanapara-Pilangkata (2.29 sq.km), Desh Doomreah (487.72 sqmkm) Block I and Block II (1547.42 sq.km), Khanduli-Psiar (76.80 sq.km) and Retacherra (11.20 sq.km).