SHILLONG, May 15: The Federation of Khasi Jaiñtia and Garo People (FKJGP), central body, on Friday announced that it would soon hold a public meeting to deliberate on issues concerning the interstate boundary dispute and appealed to people across Meghalaya to remain united irrespective of regional differences.
“At the same time, the organisation expressed solidarity with those injured during the protest and said the struggle to safeguard Meghalaya’s territorial rights and indigenous communities would continue,” FKJGP vice president Kitboklang Nongphlang said in a statement.
Meanwhile, Nongphlang strongly condemned the recent alleged police action against residents of Lapangap village who had gathered in the state capital seeking protection and security for people residing in the interstate border areas.
He expressed “deep concern” over the incident and described the police action as an attempt to suppress the indigenous residents of Meghalaya.
According to him, villagers from Lapangap, situated along the disputed border between West Jaintia Hills and Assam’s West Karbi Anglong district, had assembled near the Secretariat to urge the state government to ensure adequate security for local residents and farmers, who were allegedly facing repeated destruction of crops and farmland by members of the Karbi community.
However, Nongphlang alleged that instead of addressing the grievances raised by the protesters, the police resorted to using batons and pepper spray against the demonstrators.
Stating that the incident exposed the government’s “double standards”, the FKJGP vice president alleged that while the state police failed to take firm action in areas where Meghalaya residents were allegedly being harassed by Assam, force was used against its own people.
“The government appears unconcerned about the indigenous people of the state and instead acts as a protector of outsiders,” he alleged.
Nongphlang further stated that such incidents were not new and cautioned the government and police authorities that failure to protect indigenous communities residing in the border areas could result in serious consequences in the future.
He also referred to previous border-related incidents in Langpih, Block-I, Block-II and Mukroh, stating that recurring tensions along the interstate boundary should not be taken lightly.
