SHILLONG, April 23: The All India Trinamool Congress (AITC) on Saturday asked the MDA government to not impose the boundary pact signed with Assam on the people of the state.
AITC leader, Dr Mukul Sangma, said, “We are not accepting it. People are not accepting it. When people are not accepting it, you cannot impose it. You cannot be a dictator.”
He said the dispute continues to exist as the boundary, demarcated by the Survey of India, was not acceptable to the people. There is a growing demand to review the memorandum of understanding but both states have said it is not an option.
“Please also remember you cannot do injustice to the people who are there all along in the border to protect and defend it. They are like our frontline warriors. How can they be so blatant in ignoring and protecting their interest?” Sangma asked.
“No intent to offend Assam but there has been a problem of Assam facilitating various developmental programmes to win our people. They issue pattas for land which falls well within the areas of our demand. This is how the additional areas of differences are being created but it has to be avoided and prevented,” he added.
He said despite an agreement reached in 2011 to maintain status quo on the issue, the present government agreed to give even those lands which are not in dispute.
On Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma’s statement that the effort to resolve the issue under phase-I was made as per the documents signed and submitted by the then Chief Minister to Assam, the AITC leader said, “What is the Chief Minister trying to say? Who told him to divide it if you have valid documents to claim that this is our area? It means you are showing the documents to claim and ensure to win the battle and not surrender.”
“The documents were submitted to claim and get back the areas,” Sangma said.
Talking about the policy of give-and-take, he asked whose land the government wanted to give.
“The CM has not understood. Didn’t I tell him he has not understood the complexity associated with the contentious issue? I knew the possible outcome of give-and-take and expressed it umpteen times and they laughed at me,” Sangma said.
Stating that Assam never came forward after getting the document submitted by the then government in 2011, he said, “They knew if they sit with me across the table, I won’t be surrendering the land to Assam. That’s the reason why they were in a hurry to complete it when Conrad Sangma is there.”
Stating that neither he nor the state government can create a map which is not consistent with actual revenue record, Sangma said, “I say every claim is based on documentation, supported by revenue document and notified from time to time and this map is also based on whatever land belongs to Himas and it cannot be changed.”
“Do not beat around the bush. Dr Mukul has signed? Have you seen my signature? He (CM) is offending the people of the state by telling lies. It is an offence and an insult,” Sangma added.