SHILLONG, April 8: The BJP’s state unit will highlight the resentment expressed by a section of border residents over the manner in which the MoU was signed by Meghalaya and Assam to resolve the dispute in six of the 12 contested areas of differences.
Senior BJP leader and member of the BJP National Executive Committee, AL Hek on Friday said he has received a lot of letters from different Himas and Dorbar Shnong of the disputed areas and as such, the issue needs to be taken up with the Government of India as well as the party’s central leadership.
“We are here to work for the people. Although we cannot make everyone happy, yet there needs to be consensus by taking the stakeholders into consideration,” he said.
Hek said he has always maintained the government should take the consent of the stakeholders, particularly the residents of the disputed areas, before finalising any agreement.
On the statements by the chief ministers of the two states that the MoU cannot be reviewed, Hek said, “When we take up any issue, it cannot be without negotiation. We need to talk and discuss with the Syiem, Hima, Rangbah Shnong and border residents for an amicable settlement.”
On the demand of the United Democratic Party and the People’s Democratic Front to revisit the MoU in areas where people expressed unhappiness, he said, “I welcome it. The meeting with the stakeholders is more important before taking the final decision.”
The Hynniewtrep Youth Council (HYC) asked if the government has received the consent of the landowners, Himas, Raids and district council to give away 18.46 sq km of land to Assam government as part of the MoU.
“As per the constitutional provisions, the state government needs to get the consent of the landowners, Himas and Raids before deciding to part away with the land. We know the government does not own any land except those acquired following payment of land compensation to the landowners,” HYC general secretary, Roy Kupar Synrem said.
Referring to Section 41 of the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013, Synrem said the government would require the consent or approval from the landowners concerned and the district council while acquiring land in tribal areas in the state.
According to him, the government will also require the consent of the Dorbar Shnong, Himas and Raids concerned. “But the government did not get the approval or consent from any of the stakeholders before going to sign the MoU. The decision is illegal as per Section 20 of the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution,” the HYC general secretary claimed.
He expressed surprise that the NPP allies spoke against the MoU and wanted the agreement to be reviewed as reported by the media.
“The question now is whether the MoU was signed without the approval of the allies or it is only an attempt by these political parties to mislead the people,” Synrem said.
He said the state government should revisit the MoU.