Hima Sohiong protests Assam’s encroachment bid in Ri-Bhoi

NONGPOH, March 15: The people of Hima Sohiong petitioned Ri-Bhoi Deputy Commissioner, Arpit Upadhyaya on Wednesday seeking his intervention to stop alleged encroachment activities by the Assam government.
They submitted a memorandum to him under the banner of Joint Action Committee (JAC), Ki Khun Ki Hajar Ka Hima Sohiong.
Purningstar Shabong, the JAC chairman, alleged the Assam government encroached upon land at Nongwah Mawtamur by illegally constructing a road via Rani village to Kynthong Paham, Damu Paham, Umterlet, Pathar Khaiong and via Lukhra to Garobhanga, Mawtyngkong, Jalut Rim, Jalut Thymmai upto Mawtamur on September 1, 2022.
According to him, Nongwah Mawtamur falls under the Hima Sohiong since 1874, which was then called Hima Nongwah Mawtamur or the Nongwah Mawtamur State.
“Despite status quo agreed to be maintained by both Assam and Meghalaya, the Assam government continued its illegal encroachment in areas falling under the Hima Sohiong by illegally constructing a road and also the office of the Forest Department at Nongwah Mawtamur,” Shabong alleged.
He said after this act of the Assam government, the people of the areas are now living in fear as the police and forest department personnel of the neighbouring state are threatening them from time to time.
The JAC urged the DC of Ri-Bhoi as well as the Meghalaya government to take immediate steps for stopping the alleged illegal road construction work and encroachment by Assam.
It further urged them to deploy security personnel to these areas so that the locals can live in peace in their own land and there is not a repeat of the Mukroh-like incident in the areas falling under the Hima Sohiong.