By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, March 3: Despite initial calls for an election boycott following an assault by Assam counterparts, residents of Mukroh village participated in the recently concluded MDC elections, recording an impressive 84.63% voter turnout. The high participation comes even as the village continues to grapple with poor infrastructure, lack of electrification, and inadequate security measures.
Nujorki Sungoh, MLA of Mookaiaw, raised these concerns through a call attention notice on the second day of the Assembly’s Budget session on Monday. He said that after the district administration’s intervention and assurances, it helped convince the villagers to vote, despite their initial reluctance.
Mukroh, a border village with around 600 households, has long been at the centre of tensions along the Meghalaya-Assam boundary dispute. One of the major demands of the villagers is the establishment of a Border Outpost (BOP) at zero point, arguing that the existing BOP does not sufficiently address their security needs. Sungoh urged the government to sanction a new BOP at the critical zero-point location.
Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong responding to these concerns, assuring that the government is prioritising security in the area.
“The safety and security of Jaintia Hills is our top priority. The government is working tirelessly to maintain peace and resolve border disputes in a way that ensures the well-being of our people,” Tynsong stated.
Meanwhile, the regional committee discussions between Meghalaya and Assam are set to enter their second phase, as both states work towards resolving long-standing territorial disputes through dialogue.