SHILLONG, Aug 12: As Meghalaya and Assam get set to deal with their boundary disputes in the remaining six areas, the Trinamool Congress on Friday said the issue cannot be resolved as long as people are aggrieved and there is resentment among them.
Opposition Chief Whip George B Lyngdoh said it is not just about the land but the sentiments and the lives of thousands of people.
He castigated the NPP allies for agreeing to the division of Meghalaya land by ignoring the pleas of the people and dividing them in the process. “The government likes to play divide and rule. This is one instance of that,” Lyngdoh said, referring to the government’s statement that there are some who are opposed to the border pact but majority of the people want the issue to be resolved.
He criticised the government for allegedly disowning its own people residing in the border areas.
On Thursday, hundreds of people took part in a protest demonstration organised by the Hynniewtrep Youth Council, West Khasi Hills District against the border pact.
Lyngdoh asked if the government will take responsibility of the citizens residing in places given away to Assam and if they will be subjected to NRC.
“What will happen to the ownership of the land belonging to our Jaitbynriew, our Khasi Himas, the land of the Himas, the land of tribal individuals?” he asked.
“Everything will be lost. They will be crushed under the prevailing laws of Assam which are totally different from the prevailing laws of our tribal land,” he added.
On the second phase of border talks which will commence after August 15, the TMC leader said, “It is nothing for the government to turn a deaf ear and a blind eye to the problems of the people. This is just one instance where the government is amplifying its step-motherly attitude towards the citizens of the state.”
“The NPP, UDP, BJP, HSPDP and PDF agreeing to go for a 50-50 division of the land clearly shows they have no sentiments for their homeland and people. They ignored all efforts made by leaders since the inception of the state,” Lyngdoh said.
No going back on MoU
Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong on Friday reiterated there is no question of going back on the decision taken by the two states on the first six locations.
Asked about the protests, he said some people may be opposing the agreement but most others in Meghalaya want the disputes to be resolved once and for all.
