SHILLONG, March 8: Opposition Chief Whip George B Lyngdoh on Wednesday objected to the state government’s decision to “give away” 0.27 sq km of land in Khanapara area to Assam while citing helplessness over the fact that the memorandum of understanding has already been signed between the two chief ministers.
Raising a special motion in the House on the interstate border settlement, Lyngdoh referred to Chief Minister’s statement in the Assembly on Monday and said that his major concern was that Assam will get 1.79 sq km of prime property in Khanapara-Pillangkata while Meghalaya will retain only 0.5 sq km.
In Khanapara area, the state is giving away 0.27 sq km of land to Assam which roughly translates to 66 acres of prime property, he said. “We are made to understand that Assam government has been allowed to shift the previous boundary which runs along the Guwahati-Shillong Road to come up behind the ASTC transit camp on the grounds that it is in the heart of Dispur,” the AITC MLA said.
He said that the two governments have neither stuck to the five parameters nor the historical background and ethnicity in Khanapara. He also wondered if people will accept this settlement or not since “we have given away our front yard and our gateway to Assam”.
Pointing out that under the new settlement, several villages falling under the jurisdiction of the Hima and the Syiem will go to Assam, Lyngdoh wanted to know whether the two governments have consulted the traditional heads and institutions before finalising the agreement.
Ethnicity will be hit since many villages inhabited by tribals will now go to Assam, he reasoned.
Arguing that the MLAs were helpless, he said that the Opposition’s move was meant to highlight their take on the proposed settlement.
“The MoU has already been signed on January 21, 2022. The deal has been sealed. We have witnessed a hurried approach by the state government and this House was never taken into consideration. The all-party meeting was held at the last moment because the CM is scheduled to go to Delhi tomorrow (Wednesday) to engage with the Ministry of Home Affairs,” the AITC MLA said.
“We were taken for a ride; rather a rush. Even if there are ways to improve the settlement we cannot do anything now,” he lamented.
Opposition leader, Mukul Sangma said an all-party meeting was called two days before the CM of the state will be meeting with his counterpart and GOI. “This gives rise to the belief that the decision has been made and discussions would be more like rituals,” Mukul said.
He also observed that the fallout of this approach adopted by the state government will lead to problems when it comes to resolving larger areas of difference which are more sensitive.
Suspended CLP leader, Ampareen Lyngdoh stood up in the government’s defence and said it was disturbing that even after 50 years, Meghalaya does not have a designated map of its boundary. She lauded the government for taking all the stakeholders onboard and holding umpteen rounds of discussions and meetings and coming up with final a MoU which is historical. She took a jibe at the Opposition chief whip and questioned why the government won’t be in a rush after having waited for 50 years.
Cautioning against use of controversial words inside the House, Ampareen said use of terms like “I am not happy” or “I don’t agree to this kilometre gone here and there” will create more confusion. She also asked the members to refrain from sparking another border dispute agenda.
Participating in the discussion, Mawlai MLA PT Sawkmie said the border issue has been hanging for 50 long years and the government has taken the bold decision to settle the issue once and for all.
Countering Sawkmie, AITC MLA from Mawsynram, HM Shangpliang said it was ironical that the same MLA, six months earlier, had spoken against the government on the border issue and was now finding terming the opposition’s concern as unacceptable.
In another development, Congress leader PN Syiem asked the government to be careful while moving forward with the exercise to resolve the boundary issue. “We should not lose any of the prime areas to Assam,” he said on Tuesday.
Congress MDC from Mawhati, Charles Marngar said they will oppose the agreement if it goes against the interest of the people of the state.
He also expressed apprehension that the two states will face a daunting task when they attempt to resolve the differences in more complicated areas like Block-II in the second phase.