Meghalaya police ‘remove’ BOP from border village

GUWAHATI: Meghalaya police have reportedly dismantled a border outpost a day after setting up the temporary structure at Psiar village under Zerikinding police station along the inter-state border on Friday.
Police and district officials of West Karbi Anglong administration had intervened and held a ‘diplomatic discussion’ following which Meghalaya police removed the structure.
Official sources in Assam said Meghalaya police had set up a border police outpost in the village, about 5km from the constitutional boundary (Umtang river) between West Karbi Anglong and West Jaintia Hills.
A similar incident took place just about a week ago when Assam police were reportedly pressured by residents and district officials from West Jaintia Hills to dismantle a border outpost at Umkhirmi in West Karbi Anglong near the inter-state border.
“They (Meghalaya police) had set up a border outpost at Psiar village on Thursday evening. However, they agreed to move away the very next day after a diplomatic discussion with district officials, including the border magistrate, and police officials who visited the area on Friday,” Anthony Rongpi, sub-inspector of Zerkinding police station, told The Shillong Times on Saturday.
Rongpi said the police are patrolling the area even as the situation in the area is normal.
Asked why such incidents repeatedly occur in the area, he said boundary issues between the two states have led to tension among residents in the area.
It may be mentioned that the Karbi Students’ Association had appealed to the
West Karbi Anglong district administration to ensure protection for residents of Umkhirmi after Assam police were compelled to dismantle a border outpost in the village on June 13.
The BOP has incidentally been sanctioned by Assam government in the allotted area at Umkhirmi and police maintain that there is no shift in stance till further directions.