SHILLONG, March 19: A total of 15 Dorbar Raids in the Ri-Bhoi district along with the villagers and landowners supported by the Hima Mylliem are planning to demonstrate against the decision of the NPP-led government to finalise the boundary deal in six of the 12 areas of differences.
The Meghalaya and Assam governments had inked a memorandum of understanding (MoU) a few weeks ago for resolving the boundary dispute is six of the “less complicated” areas taken up in the first phase.
“We are going to have a meeting next week to decide on the date of this massive protest,” Basan of Raid Nongkseh, Nathaniel Thangkhiew said here on Saturday.
He said the people have decided to come out to the streets to protest the decision of the state government.
“The state government never consulted us or sought our consent before signing the MoU with the Assam government. We are disappointed since the land belongs to us,” Thangkhiew said.
According to him, more than half of the Khanapara village will go to Assam after the deal is finalised.
He said the people of the Maikhuli village and Dorbar Shnong of Paham Kanchoh are also opposing this MoU.
Thangkhiew also questioned the decision of the state government to agree to cede Them Marwet, Khanapara to Assam when the dispute is pending in the Supreme Court. An Assam State Transport Corporation transit camp is located there.
“We are not going to accept the MoU with Assam because these areas have been under the Hima Mylliem since time immemorial,” he said.
“Once in Assam, these stretches will no longer be regarded as scheduled areas. We cannot let Assam take over these areas in the interest of our future generations,” Thangkhiew said.
Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma had earlier defended the MoU between the two states. “We have managed to find a win-win solution for all. I am hopeful that we will be able to come to a final conclusion of the first six areas and it will be a historic moment for the state,” he had stated.
The chief minister also said he and his Assam counterpart are likely to meet Union Home Minister, Amit Shah in New Delhi on March 27.