GUWAHATI: Khun Hynniewtrep National Awakening Movement (KHNAM) has reiterated that it was high time the state government constituted a boundary commission for amicable settlement of all border-related issues with Assam.
Speaking to The Shillong Times on Sunday, Thomas Passah, vice president, central executive committee, KHNAM, said the latest instance of the attack on Hima Nongspung secretary’s house at New Balakhowa near the inter-state boundary was not the first and will not be the last if both Meghalaya and Assam remain passive on the decades-old issue.
“There have been many unreported cases of skirmishes on the inter-state boundary owing the unresolved boundary dispute between the two states and sadly it is the villagers who are bearing the brunt of it. Therefore, it is high time that a boundary commission is constituted with a specific timeframe to review all aspects of the impasse and find a meaningful solution once and for all,” Passah said.
Michael Warjri, the secretary of Hima Nongspung, whose house in Jirang was allegedly vandalised by a mob on Tuesday, has been remanded in judicial custody and currently lodged at a jail in Guwahati. Warjri’s daughter, Baladirin Ranee, meanwhile has approached Gauhati High Court seeking early release of her father.
The septuagenarian was earlier in custody of Palasbari police station in Kamrup district after a case was registered against him. Three persons have been arrested by Ri Bhoi police in connection with the incident.
The KHNAM leader sought a magisterial inquiry into the incident at Balakhowa so that the perpetrators of the incident are booked at the earliest.
“There is an apparent lack of intent on the part of the state government to resolve the decades-long problem as the only time we hear politicians speak up on issue is before an election. Some leaders want the standoff to remain as it suits their political interests and helps them gain political mileage and votes,” Passah said.
Over the years, there have been several meetings between the two states, mostly at the chief secretary level, but none of the parties in dispute has been able to make any headway.
Meghalaya has 12 areas of difference with Assam. Respective deputy commissioners of the concerned districts of the two states have been notified that both sides would not take up developmental work without prior intimation.