Syiem of Hima Nongspung alleges encroachment of ‘Meghalaya land’ by Assam

Nongpoh, Oct 4: The ongoing border talks between Assam and Meghalaya are yet to reach a conclusive phase, and a fresh encroachment issue has emerged today. The Syiem (traditional head) of Hima Nongspung, accompanied by leaders of Raid Warmawsaw, the Khasi Students’ Union, Western Border Area, and the Confederation of Ri Bhoi People, conducted an inspection in Bakhlapara village, an area under the jurisdiction of Hima Nongspung in Meghalaya.
During their inspection, they discovered that the Assam Government, through the Public Works Department, has initiated construction of a road from Patgoan to Bakhlapara, covering a distance of 1.203 kilometers. This construction project was sanctioned under the Mukhya Mantrir Pakipath Nirman Achani scheme, with a total cost of Rs. 71.59 lakhs. The project commenced on June 20, 2023, and it was funded by the Government of Assam for the fiscal year 2022-2023. The work is being executed by the PWD West Guwahati Territorial Road Division, with the contractor identified as M/s Mahababu Associate and Engineers.
Speaking to the press after the inspection, Patrick Syiemiong, the Syiem of Hima Nongspung, revealed that upon learning about this issue, he dispatched representatives from Warmawsaw and Umsohbar to the site to witness the illegal road construction initiated by the Assam government. He promptly informed the officer in charge of the Rani Jirang – Anti Dacoity Camp (ADC) to halt the unlawful construction.
Syiemiong further disclosed that the officer in charge of Rani Jirang conveyed that the report had been forwarded to the Ri Bhoi Superintendent of Police. Dissatisfied with this response, he wrote a letter to the Chief Executive Member of the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC), urging intervention to send officials to halt the construction, as the area falls under the jurisdiction of Hima Nongspung in Meghalaya.
Unfortunately, Syiemiong has not received a response from the KHADC, leaving him uncertain whether officials were sent to stop the ongoing illegal construction by the Assam government. This prompted him to gather village elders of Raid Warmawsaw and Umsohbar, as well as pressure groups, for the inspection today, to provide them with firsthand evidence of the ongoing road construction.
In light of the tree plantation schemes implemented under MGNREGA Jirang C &RD Block and the presence of pipes belonging to the Water Resources Department of Meghalaya in the area, Syiemiong alleged that the contractor assigned to the project had cut down all the trees and placed a signboard claiming that the scheme was funded by the Assam government in an area that is not under dispute and falls entirely within the jurisdiction of Hima Nongspung in Meghalaya.
Patrick Syiemiong asserted that the construction of the road by the Assam government must be stopped immediately at any cost. He stated his intention to report the matter to the Deputy Commissioner of Ri Bhoi for swift action.
On the other hand, Syiemiong expressed regret over the challenges faced by residents in these border areas due to the lack of developmental schemes from Meghalaya. He noted that this compelled them to accept the developmental schemes offered by Assam.
He urged the Meghalaya government to take significant steps in providing developmental schemes to these border villages to safeguard Meghalaya’s land. Syiemiong previously advised residents not to accept any schemes offered by the Assam government but to request support from the Meghalaya government and emphasized the importance of working together for the benefit of all.
Meanwhile, Bandari Ryntathiang, President of CoRP, the President of Khasi Students’ Union, Western Border Area, and Manason Doloi, Advisor of Raid Warmawsaw, expressed their views during the event. They stated that the situation arose because the Government of Meghalaya had neglected these border villages for decades, forcing residents to accept developmental schemes offered by Assam. They pointed out the lack of good roads, proper drinking water, and other developmental schemes in the area.
These leaders called upon the Meghalaya government to take immediate steps to ensure that residents in border areas receive the same kind of developmental support as the Assam government offers. They emphasized that this is crucial to preserving the land belonging to Meghalaya, as Assam often claims land as its own once it implements developmental schemes.
The leaders of Raid Warmawsaw, the Confederation of Ri Bhoi People, and the Khasi Students’ Union Western Border Area expressed their unwavering support for the protection of Hima Nongspung’s jurisdiction under Meghalaya, vowing not to allow any encroachment by the Assam Government, regardless of the circumstances.