Opposition to report on Block-I dispute

SHILLONG, April 2: The Hynniewtrep Border Dispute Redressal Forum (HBDRF) has opposed the border regional committee’s report on the Block I area, alleging that it was prepared without carrying out any ground inspection.
In a letter addressed to Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma, the Forum, which is a conglomerate of social organisations, politicians, legal experts and village leaders, expressed concern over media reports indicating that the government is inching closer to the final phase of Assam-Meghalaya boundary dispute settlement.
The HBDRF criticised the regional committee for finalising its report on Block I without conducting any on-site verification. “As per media reports, we have learned that the regional committee is preparing to submit its final report. However, we are dissatisfied with the committee’s functioning, as it is widely known that no ground inspection has taken place to date, which risks misrepresenting the true situation,” the letter stated.
The Forum has sought an appointment with the Chief Minister to present historical facts and documentation related to the disputed Block I region. “The committee’s report cannot be fact-based without visiting ground zero. We have requested for a meeting with the Chief Minister to present the historical background and the status of Block I since 1951,” HBDRF spokesperson and KHNAM working president Thomas Passah said. He referred to a video clip in which it was claimed that Blocks I and II have been already handed over to Assam along with relevant documents.  Passah explained that numerous representations were submitted to Assam and central governments over the decades. He said a joint survey was carried out in 1957 by officials from the Mikir Hills and the United Khasi-Jaintia Hills but the final report allegedly went missing.
“If Blocks I and II are already in Assam, then why are they still listed among the 12 areas of differences between Assam and Meghalaya?” he asked.
The Forum has urged the state government to re-examine the facts and ensure that Blocks I and II are restored to Meghalaya, noting that the residents of Block I are Pnar-speaking people who share the same customs and traditions as those in Meghalaya.