Forum threatens stir if plight of border area residents ignored

SHILLONG: The Hynniewtrep Border Dispute Redressal Forum has threatened that they will launch agitations in the city if the state government is indifferent towards the plight of residents living in the inter-state border of Meghalaya and Assam.
In a statement issued here, the spokesperson of the forum, Thomas Passah said that the members of the forum visited border areas of Block-I in West Jaintia Hills on Wednesday, and a meeting was held at Moojem village.
He said that the traditional heads (Waheh Chnong) of the village have expressed dismay that neither the state government nor the district councils are seriously looking into their problems.
The forum expressed surprise over the Karbi Autonomous District Council in Assam directing the border area residents to cooperate with the socio-economic census and it has allegedly threatened the residents that they would be removed from the village if they do not cooperate.
The forum stated that the inter-state border residents are confused as the state government turns a blind eye to their plight.
The traditional heads at the meeting have decided to not cooperate with the census conducted by the Karbi ADC, despite threats, maintaining it is the duty of the state government to defend its people from outside oppression.
The forum stated that Karbi ADC has put up signboards to remove the local names of villages and name the villages as per the local language of the Karbis.
On the other hand, the forum said that the traditional heads have not received any appointment letter from the Hima authorities or the district council. The forum informed that they have visited Block – II, Langpih and will visit other disputed border areas as well.