SHILLONG, Oct 2: The Khasi Students’ Union (KSU) and the Federation of Khasi Jaintia and Garo People (FKJGP) on Sunday insisted that the traditional heads of the border villages, Hima and Elaka should be included in the regional committees, constituted to resolve the Meghalaya-Assam border disputes in the remaining six areas.
“We are not happy since the state government has failed to include the traditional heads and traditional institutions like Hima and Elaka as members of the regional committees for the second phase,” KSU president Lambokstar Marngar said.
He said the union had expected the traditional heads and the traditional institutions to be included in the committees. It is all the more important that the government listens to the views and opinions of the border residents, he said.
Marngar said the government will do injustice if the sentiments and will of the people are not taken into account or respected. “We are not going to have an acceptable solution if the government ignores the traditional institutions. It will be a great thing if it co-opts the traditional heads in the regional committees and ensure that the entire exercise is carried out in a transparent manner,” the KSU president said.
“The ADCs and the Himas should be integral parts of this whole exercise. The state government should not rush. It should ensure that the solution arrived at is acceptable to everyone,” he said, adding the KSU wants the state not to lose its land.
Meanwhile, Marngar said the MoU signed on the first six areas of differences can always be reviewed. “The MOU, which was signed, is a political decision. I don’t agree with the arguments of Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma that it cannot be reviewed. What is required is a political will of the two governments. The state government should find out ways and means to review the MoU as demanded by the various stakeholders,” he insisted.
Echoing similar views, FKJGP president Dundee C Khongsit said the federation will not hesitate to protest if the government goes against the wishes of the border residents and this might lead to a law and order problem.
“We cannot compromise on the will and sentiments of the people residing on the border. If the state government does not include the traditional heads or traditional bodies in the regional committees, then this whole exercise will be futile,” Khongsit said.
He said the government will not achieve a permanent solution to this long-standing issue if the people of the border areas are not able to share their views in the committee.
“What is the use of having people in the regional committees who do not understand the situation on the ground?” Khongsit asked.
He said the solution should be purely based on the will of the border populace. He also said that the government should take the Rangbah Shnongs and the representatives from the Hima and Elaka since they will be able to indicate the real boundaries of the state.
“The Hima and Elaka existed even before we got our state. The state government should insist during the negotiations with the Assam government that the boundary should be demarcated as per the documents and maps of the various Himas,” he said.
The FKJGP president said whatever blunders committed during the first phase by the state should not be repeated in the second phase.
