SHILLONG, March 9: A sense of betrayal and deception has filled the hearts and minds of the Garo inhabitants of Malchapara and Salbari villages under Nonglang Sirdarship, Gizang in West Khasi Hills as they run from pillar to post in an apparently losing cause to ensure that their villages do not end up with Assam.
However, disappointment is writ large on their faces now since their worst fear is turning into a reality. The residents of Malchapara and Salbari villages, all of whom are Garos, have just learnt that their villages have been listed as going to Assam in sharp contrast to the state government’s assertion that ethnicity of the villages would be a prime criterion before the final demarcation of the boundary.
“Before the regional committee of West Khasi Hills submitted its report to the Chief Minister, we had submitted a memorandum to the chairperson, Renikton Lyngdoh Tongkhar making it clear that we want to be in Meghalaya and not in Assam but they did not listen to us. Chief Minister Conrad Sangma announced in the Assembly that Malchapara and Salbari will go to Assam against the wishes of the Garo inhabitants,” Malchapara resident, Jewash Sangma here on Wednesday.
Jewash along with some other residents of the village were making desperate attempts to meet any politician willing to help them out.
Jewash said they we were not aware that the regional committee members had visited their village which consists of 104 families, all Garos.
“We are very hurt and we do not want the government to send us to Assam. We had made things quite clear from the beginning and we even have the memorandum as proof but the CM is still saying we will go to Assam,” Jewash said, pointing out that except for Malchapara and Salbari, all other adjoining villages will remain with Meghalaya.
“We urge the government to keep us with Meghalaya but if we are forcibly given away to Assam we are ready to do anything to stop the transfer,” he added.
Kraibin Sangma, the Nokma of Salbari, expressed similar sentiments and wanted to know why the state government was forcing their village to be part of Assam when and ethnically, they qualify to be in Meghalaya.
The Nokma said he had earlier written to Union Minister Amit Shah and Tongkhar making their intention very clear to remain in Meghalaya.
Kraibin also referred to his representation submitted to the Union Home Minister which states: “In exercise of the willingness of the people and other criteria, the inhabitants of Malchapara and Salbari villages under Nonglang Sirdarship have resolved to remain within Meghalaya and copies of their resolutions dated November 4, 2021 and November 8, 2021 and Sanad dated November 9, 2021 are enclosed herewith for favour of your kind perusal and decision in the light of their decision which shall be highly appreciated by us.”
