By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, Oct 20: The Hynniewtrep Integrated Territorial Organisation (HITO) on Monday urged Union Home Minister Amit Shah to intervene in the “ongoing human rights violations” arising from the Assam-Meghalaya border dispute.
In a memorandum submitted to Shah, HITO president Donbok Dkhar stressed the need for immediate intervention to restore peace, ensure justice, and pursue lasting solutions for communities affected by the long-standing border conflict.
Dkhar noted that the protracted territorial disputes between Meghalaya and Assam have persisted since Meghalaya’s creation in 1971, often escalating into violent clashes that have claimed lives and disrupted livelihoods.
“Despite decades of talks, discussions between both governments often appear superficial, serving as temporary bandages on a deep-seated wound,” he said.
The HITO president accused the Assam government of repeated incursions into Meghalaya’s territory, particularly in areas under the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council, calling such actions “a grave violation of regional agreements”.
Highlighting the recent incident, HITO president stated that the Assam government is using the Karbi tribe to prevent Meghalaya farmers from harvesting paddy crops, an act of “blatant violation of human rights”.
Dkhar claimed the move caused severe economic hardship for the already vulnerable farming communities.
Despite assurances from Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma to halt aggressive actions, he alleged that such promises have been “disingenuous,” pointing to continued deployment of armed groups to intimidate villagers.
“Such actions are unlawful and an affront to constitutional principles. Those responsible, whether ministers, bureaucrats, or police, must be held accountable,” he stated.
Citing incidents such as the Langpih massacre in 2009 and the Mukroh killings in 2022, the HITO alleged that these tragedies reflected “state-sponsored aggression” against innocent border residents.
Referring to the Instrument of Accession and the Annexed Agreement of the Khasi States, Dkhar asserted that these legal commitments made over 75 years ago remain unfulfilled by the Indian government.
He added that the failure to honour these covenants has resulted in continuous injustice and erosion of the rights and autonomy of the Hynniewtrep people and their traditional leaders.
