By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, Sep 21: UDP legislator Nujorki Sungoh has raised concern over the report of a new Karbi militant group called United People’s Front of Karbi Longri (UPFKL) creating “fear psychosis” among the Khasi-Pnar inhabitants residing in a disputed area along Meghalaya’s border with Assam.
Moving a call attention motion on the issue in the Assembly on Thursday, he cited media reports to say that the inhabitants of Elaka Labang-Nongpyhllut in Block-I are apprehensive about this new militant outfit.
He also referred to reports saying the Assam Police arrested two members of the UPFKL identified as Sanjay Engti and Rajesh Phangso from Jrikyndeng village of Block-I and seized from them two pistols, hand grenades, and demand notes.
Sungoh, who represents Mookaiaw, said he came to know from sources that the demand note was to have been served to members of the Khasi-Pnar community although the police did not reveal any names on it.
He also said that the UPFKL has recruited more than 500 members primarily to terrorise the Khasi-Pnar inhabitants of Block-I.
“Let us not forget the historical facts in the records of both the states telling us how some 5,000 Khasi-Pnar inhabitants were made to flee from their ancestral villages and seek refuge in Sahsniang village,” Sungoh said, adding that instilling fear among the Khasi-Pnar people has been a “periodic plan” of the Karbis.
He also said it has been a strategy of the Karbis to usurp the ancestral land of the Khasi-Pnar people by classifying it as disputed.
“I hope the government will take note of this matter to give the Khasi-Pnar inhabitants (in the border areas) the strength and resilience and not let them down,” the UDP legislator said.
In his reply, Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma said the government is yet to receive any intelligence input and any official complaint about the formation of the new Karbi militant outfit. “We are relying on a newspaper article that also says two people were arrested,” he said.
The CM, however, assured the House that the government is not taking the development lightly. “We will ensure sufficient manpower for the protection and safety of our people,” he said.
Earlier, Sungoh urged the state government to develop the Khatkasla-Moojem-Jrikyndeng Road in Block-I as it is the only route that does not pass through Karbi villages. He said the Khasi-Pnar residents of Block-I have been cut off from basic needs since 1951.
“The Khatkasla-Moojem-Jrikyndeng Road is the most important road in the Block-I area and accessible only during winter,” he said, adding that the other roads the local people have to use pass through the Karbi villages.
He said the Khasi-Pnar inhabitants in the area face great difficulties whenever a Khanduli-like clash erupts. It is impossible for them to use the other roads since the Karbis dig them up and block them during conflicts, he said.
Sungoh said he has often requested Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong, who holds the PWD (Roads) portfolio, to especially consider constructing the Khatkasla-Moojem-Jrikyndeng Road.
“It is the only lifeline for the Khasi-Pnar people of the area during emergencies arising out of communal tension,” he said, also seeking a PHC at Psiar or Moolaber village so that the locals do not have to travel 25-30 km to the health centre at Sahsniang village for any medical emergency.
The CM replied by saying the state government has been working continuously for the overall development of the state, taking up many projects neglected in the past. “The detailed project report on the Khatkasla-Moojem-Jrikyndeng Road is being prepared,” he said.
“But as I said, the government will have to take care of the complications that may arise if the proposed road falls under any disputed area. The PWD will seek the sanction after we prepare the DPR based on the inputs we receive,” he said.
Sangma also said the places suggested by Sungoh for setting up a PHC are very close to the areas of dispute. “Hence, we will discuss with our counterparts keeping all these factors in mind. We will try our best to ensure our people do not suffer,” he said.