From Our Correspondent
JOWAI, April 13: The Hynñiewtrep Border Dispute Redressal Forum (HBDRF) on Monday observed a “Black Day” to mark the anniversary of the 1951 annexation of Block-I and Block-II by the Assam government.
According to the Forum, on April 13, 1951, areas under Elaka Labang Nangphyllut (Block-I) and Raij Nongtung Khyrwang (Block-II) were forcibly transferred from the Jowai Civil Sub-Division to the United Cachar Mikir Hills (now Karbi Anglong) without the consent of the indigenous Khasi-Pnar residents.
HBDRF Chairman Chandame Sungoh stated that while the Assam government acknowledged the move as an error in 1957 and a joint survey in 1958 agreed to return the land to the then United Khasi & Jaintia Hills, the re-transfer has never been implemented.
The Forum maintained that it will continue to observe April 13 as a day of mourning every year until Block-I and Block-II are officially returned to Meghalaya.
