SHILLONG, Feb 4: Deputy Chief Minister and Chairperson of the Ri-Bhoi Regional committee on interstate boundary with Assam, Prestone Tynsong asserted that the state government did not exercise any haste in completing the process of inspection in the six identified areas.
Rambrai-Jyrngam MLA and a member of the West Khasi Hills regional committee, Kimfa Marbaniang had alleged on Tuesday that the process of inspection and survey was completed in haste leading to the possibility of the state losing land in three to four areas.
“Nothing was done in haste. We had several meetings and the regional committees inspected each and every village more than one time,” said Tynsong.
Referring to the allegations levelled by Marbaniang, Tynsong said, “He was part of the committee and if he speaks of haste then I do not understand what he means.”
The Congress MLA had also alleged that in some areas residents who want to be part of Meghalaya were not even aware of the visit of the regional committees while people from Assam came out in support of their decision to be with Assam and that made the regional committees go by the voice of the majority which will lead to the state losing out in a few areas.
Reacting to this allegation, Tynsong said, “Why should they be unaware? Before the inspection by both the committees from Assam and Meghalaya, the information was sent to the stakeholders, head of the local bodies and headmen (Rangbah Shnong). His claim that they were not informed is totally wrong.”
“We had informed the residents well in advance through the DC or the Additional District Magistrate,” he added.