SHILLONG, Oct 14: A Joint Action Committee (JAC), which met Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma on Tuesday, warned that the state government would be held accountable for any consequences arising from its failure to defend and safeguard the rights and livelihood of people residing along the Meghalaya-Assam border, particularly the residents of Lapangap village.
In a petition submitted to Sangma, the JAC, which comprises members of various pressure groups, said following the recent skirmish and growing tension in Lapangap, there is an urgent need to strengthen the presence of security personnel/police in the village to ensure the safety and security of the residents.
The JAC asked the government to ensure continuous patrolling and monitoring to prevent any intrusion or unlawful activity by people from across the border. Further, it asked the government to provide necessary protection and confidence to the residents to enable them harvest paddy without any fear or disturbance.
The JAC said security personnel should be reinforced not only with non-lethal crowd-control equipment (such as lathis) but also with appropriate defensive arms and resources as per standard police and paramilitary norms, including adequate firearms, communication equipment, transport, and other necessary logistical support.
“This will enable the personnel to patrol the border area more effectively and respond promptly to any threats or incursions,” the JAC said.
It sought a clarification from the government on how long the prohibitory orders, enforced under Section 163 of BNSS, will remain in force in the area. It insisted that the movement of locals or their livelihood activities should not be hindered.
Pointing out that people’s livelihood for an entire year depends on a single harvest, the JAC said any disruption or destruction would amount to direct loss of their sustenance.
Under such circumstances, the JAC said, the state government will have to bear full responsibility and ensure that the affected families are adequately compensated for loss of crops and livelihood.
