From Biplab Kr Dey
ADOKGRE (NGH), Nov 2: Following reports by a civil society organisation Garo Omniscience for Ethnic Renaissance and Awakening (GOERA) of the plight faced by four villages, which were denied even basic amenities over years and years of neglect, a visit was paid to these villages to find out exactly what was ailing more than 2,200 residents of the area.
The four villages in question — Chiginde, Doeni, Walkam and Balkam — were recently added to Meghalaya through the MoU signed between the states of Assam and Meghalaya in the year 2019. Since the agreement signing over 6 years ago, the 4 villages have been without any form of basic support from the side of the government – be it from Assam or Meghalaya.
Another visit was paid to the same villages and their residents to find out firsthand the plight faced by them and how desperation has set into their lives even as they search for an identity. The visit was joined by members of GOERA.
Struggle to find meaning in existence without support
The four villages for the past 6 years have struggled to find meaning to their existence especially in the face of an administration that seems as clueless as a 3 year old child trying to solve a Rubik’s cube.
As per the villagers, prior to the border signing MOU between the states of Meghalaya and Assam, surveys were conducted by both states seeking a referendum from them on which state they wanted to join. They unanimously chose Meghalaya. “We have seen the maps of the Reking Aking which showed that our villages were part of it despite us being in Assam earlier.
We chose Meghalaya because it is only natural to be part of our tribe in our own state. We had been neglected while within Assam and hoped this would change once we came into the fold of Meghalaya,” said a resident of Doeni.
Their prayers still have a long way to be answered. The villages still have no schools recognized by the state of Meghalaya and their children attend the only private school in the village which is based on a Church from Guwahati – Assam.
A quick Google search that showed despite the villages existing since ages, there seems to be no record of these villages even existing in either Assam or Meghalaya despite them actually having Assam voter IDs earlier. What is even more perplexing is that these villages exist in reality and within the boundaries of the country but they get no mention anywhere.
“We have no access to electricity, no water connection from the state of either Assam or Meghalaya. We have never had access to job card work or to any government benefit that comes with being a citizen of the Union of India. So where does this leave us,” asked another resident.
“Our biggest challenge is that we have not been approved as citizens of India nor Meghalaya. Earlier when we went to Resubelpara and met the former Deputy Commissioner (DC) he was ready to help us get our IDs done as part of Garo Hills. However the DC who joined later, complained that documents of the District Council had shown our village as Doeni – Chiginde, separate from Reking Adok, but there is no such village as Chiginde or Doeni. So they refused to accept the papers and asked us to bring new documents from the District Council. They also told us that we should have our individual identity, but we do not have any individual documents to prove our identity,” added another.
Interestingly while these residents have been fighting for an identity, the GHADC conveniently provided a revenue code for them to submit their household taxes and revenue collections have been initiated.
Members of GOERA earlier through a letter to the CEM of the GHADC highlighted the plight of these residents while asking the Council for its insight into the matter.
“What should have been a joyous occasion for these residents who chose the state of Meghalaya is fast turning into a farce of gargantuan proportions. Neglected in Assam, now they face the same plight in our state as well only due to administrative reluctance,” felt Keneth Marak, GOERA member who was a part of the visit last week.
The villages are now faced with a dilemma on what exactly they need to do to be a part of the state of Meghalaya. Earlier whenever anyone had a police case to resolve, they would approach the Boko PS in Assam but ever since they chose Meghalaya, Assam police has been pushing these to Meghalaya while Meghalaya police is also reluctant to provide them with support.
This is also the case when these villages have new births or deaths. When they approached the Adokgre PHC, they were asked to produce ID and documentation which they are yet to receive.
“We have approached the CM, the local MLA, Rupert Momin as well as the MDC of Kharkutta but despite assurances, nothing has materialized. We have had multiple consultations with the EMs of GHADC but to no avail. We continue to fight for an identity and can only thank GOERA members for taking up the matter. We are hopeful that things will change and we will receive what is rightfully our due,” felt another Chiginde resident.
“This is fast turning into a humanitarian crisis for those that have been impacted. Imagine not being a part of the country despite living here since your forefathers were born. With a road that only provides access 6 months a year and no benefits from the state or the country, are we really leaving these people no way out? Our country, our state and the government can’t really be this heartless, can they,” felt GOERA member, Beltish Sangma.
