SHILLONG, July 29: The HSPDP has issued a warning to the Meghalaya government, urging immediate and stringent measures to counter any possible influx of illegal settlers from Assam.
The party said it is deeply concerned about the potential fallout of Assam’s aggressive eviction campaign and called on the Meghalaya government to act before the situation spirals out of control. HSPDP president KP Pangniang highlighted that the party is particularly worried about areas near the interstate boundary and stressed that it is not only political parties but also civil society that have begun stepping in due to lack of timely government action.
The appeal comes amid rising fears that settlers evicted from Assam could slip into border areas of Meghalaya, particularly regions adjacent to Assam’s Boko subdivision, which has been at the centre of recent eviction drives.
The HSPDP’s call has added to the growing chorus demanding the Meghalaya government boost its border vigilance, particularly in vulnerable zones.
In addition, Pangniang said the party will not compromise on its core agenda, particularly on the long-standing Assam-Meghalaya border dispute.
Pangniang acknowledged the progress made in the first phase of border settlement between Meghalaya and Assam, where six relatively less contentious sectors were resolved in March 2022.
He expressed confidence that the remaining disputes will be resolved before the current government’s term ends.