‘Assam has encroached upon Meghalaya land, erected fence in RB’

SHILLONG, Dec 14: The Rangbah Shnong of Umsaw Lum Dorbar, Paul Star Lyngdoh on Wednesday alleged the Assam Forest Department moved into Meghalaya and “illegally” fenced the agricultural land of Khasi villagers.
He appealed to the state government to immediately intervene in the matter. The alleged encroachment was reported from the Umsaw Lum Dorbar in Ri-Bhoi district.
Police personnel from the Mawlasnai outpost and a magistrate visited the site and submitted a report. The district administration has not taken any action so far.
The Assam Forest Department had on December 11 accused the villagers of destroying the fencing but Lyngdoh said they are not responsible.
“We have lost our agricultural land due to the encroachment by the Assam Forest Department,” Lyngdoh said.
He suspected that it could be a tactic of the Assam police to prevent the villagers from going to their agricultural land. He appealed to the state government to help them get back their land. “How are we going to survive if we are not allowed to get our agricultural produce?” the Rangbah Shnong asked.
He criticised the “weak” Meghalaya government for not questioning the encroachment by Assam. He urged it to initiate some action for the sake of safety and security of the villagers.
“We fear that the government will act only after another Mukroh-like incident happens,” Lyngdoh said.
He said if the government fails to provide security, the villagers will have to seek help from anyone who can provide it.
Meanwhile, the members of Khasi Students’ Union (KSU) visited the village on Wednesday and found the villagers in a state of fear.
KSU president Lambokstar Marngar said, “We urge the state government not to wait but intervene immediately so that our people get back their agricultural land.”