JOWAI/SHILLONG, April 24: The Dorbar Shnong of Khanduli on Monday organised a rally against the setting up of a tax gate by the Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council (KAAC) in the village.
Hundreds of people from Khanduli and neighbouring villages took out the protest march from the Khanduli football ground.
Members of several pressure groups including KSU, FKJGP, JSU, HBDRF, and HANM also took part in the protest march.
The villagers have resolved to demand the immediate removal of the KAAC tax gate set up in Khanduli.
Officials from the West Jaintia Hills district administration were present during the protest march.
The Waheh Shnong of Khanduli, Yooshida Nongspung said the tax gate would put the villagers in great difficulties and it would have a huge impact on their livelihood.
“We fear there could be communal tension in view of the aggressive attitude of the Karbi population,” he said.
Members of various pressure groups said this is not the first case of harassment of the Khasi-Pnar people residing in the border villages by the Assam government. The situation in Mukroh and Langpih was similar, they said.
The pressure group leaders insisted Khanduli is a part of Meghalaya and said they do not intend to create any law-and-order problem except for dismantling the tax gate.
They condemned the remark of West Karbi Anglong Deputy Commissioner, Krishna Baruah that the village falls under the territorial jurisdiction of her district.
The villagers and pressure groups have tried to go to the area where the KAAC had set up the tax gate.
The West Jaintia Hills district administration officials and the traditional heads prevented the pressure groups from proceeding to the place where the tax gate was erected.
Reacting to the development, the Jaintia Hills Autonomous District Council (JHADC) reiterated that Khanduli falls within its jurisdiction.
Talking to reporters after the meeting of the CEMs of the three autonomous district councils in the state capital, the JHADC’s chief executive member Thombor Shiwat said the sanad (appointment letter) to the Rangbah Shnong of Khanduli is issued by the council.
The village is very much within the boundary of the council, according to the documents and records available with the council, the CEM added.
Slamming the West Karbi Anglong DC for claiming that Khanduli falls under her district, Shiwat said the West Jaintia Hills DC had invited her for a meeting in Jowai to discuss the measures needed to ensure peace and harmony in the border villages.
He, however, said the statement of West Karbi Anglong DC is adding fuel to the fire.
Shiwat said the people are also angry at the KAAC for erecting its tax gate inside the boundary of Khanduli village.
According to him, the villagers’ bid to dismantle the tax gate led to tension in the area.
