SHILLONG: Independent MLA SK Sunn, who visited new Balakhawa, said it is not true that there has been no complaints about the activities of Assam in the Meghalaya village.
In response to the statement of Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Kyrmen Shylla as appeared in a section of the media, Sunn said it may not be correct to say that there had been no complaints.
He said in March 2015, the Secretary, Executive Dorbar, Hima Nongspung in a letter addressed to the Deputy Commissioner, Ri Bhoi, had informed that the Assam government through ASEB had provided electricity connection to the villages of Balakhawa, New Balakhawa and several others under Nongspung Syiemship.
The secretary informed that the action by Assam government was illegal dishonouring the agreement signed by B.K. Boral, ADC Kamrup District, Assam, P.S. Kharkongor, ADC Ri Bhoi and Michael Warjri, Secretary, Hima Nongspung among others.
Moreover, the Syiem of Hima Nongspung in August 2018 had petitioned the Chief Minister of Meghalaya and others, including the KHADC CEM, Deputy Commissioner, Ri Bhoi and the Superintendent of Police of the district among others stressing the need to stop the construction of a bridge at Akhoinijira near Balakhawa, Nongspung Syiemship.
Despite this, the work of construction of the bridge by Assam Government continued.
Later, the Deputy Commissioner, Ri Bhoi district took up the matter with his counterpart and insisted to stop the work citing that the High Court of Meghalaya had already stayed the construction based on the petition of Warjri.
The Syiem of Hima Nongspung had also petitioned the Home Minister for setting up the police outpost at New Balakhawa for immediate construction of border road to defend the boundary of Hima Nongpsung and Meghalaya.
Sunn said Hima Nongspung had also informed the PWD Minister on the problems faced by villagers of the 12 Villages of Hima Nongspung under Jirang constituency and also on the need to have road connectivity and requested the government to extend its helping hand as Assam government is offering development works to the villagers with a view to encroach the area.
