SHILLONG, July 9: Umroi MLA George B. Lyngdoh on Friday said both the Meghalaya and Assam governments need to provide solutions, even if temporary, related to development while dealing with the vexed interstate boundary issue.
He said the border residents who want to be with Meghalaya are living in constant fear and the deprivation of fundamental rights may make them change their minds.
Lyngdoh said this after the Ri-Bhoi District Congress Committee led by Nongpoh MLA Mayralborn Syiem held an interactive session with all the headmen and leaders of the disputed areas under Block II to understand the ground realities. The Nongpoh MDC and Mawhati MDC accompanied Syiem.
Pointing out that the cultural habits and livelihoods are the major linkages between the areas falling under Block II and Meghalaya, he said language, culture and traditions were the factors behind carving out Meghalaya from Assam. The people of Block II want to be with Meghalaya because of the cultural and linguistic affinity, he added.
Lyngdoh acknowledged that the people of Block II have been facing problems of livelihood, healthcare, education and safe governance for years.
“The villages under Block I and II areas belong to the state and we were seeking the retransfer right from 1960. The government has over the years been harping about demographic changes and we came to understand the ground realities and the aspirations of the people,” he said.
Gauging the sentiments of the people would help take the border issue forward, he added.
“In the meantime, people should not be deprived of their constitutional rights and the district administration from both sides should provide the affected people access to healthcare, education and livelihood options,” he added.
Syiem said the meeting was organised for learning about the problems being faced by 18 villages under Raid Nongtun. “We hope the continuous effort of all stakeholders and political leaders irrespective of party affiliation would yield some result before Meghalaya celebrates 50 years of statehood with the Union government also keen on resolving the issue once and for all,” he said.
He recalled 22 CM-level talks held between the two states so far to resolve the issue.
On Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma’s proposal for a give-and-take policy, Syiem said: “It is a continuous process and we have to know the pros and cons through discussions with all the stakeholders for finding a proper solution.”
He said such interactive discussions will be held in the other disputed areas.
The president of the Synjuk Ki Rangbah Shnong of the disputed area under Block II, Blickstar Sohtun said the perils of living along the disputed land is never-ending as they have to deal with constant confrontation and objection to developmental activities.
Hoping that some solution will be arrived upon and fast, he said all the villages want to be with Meghalaya.
