Demands early resolution of border dispute, setting up of NEHU campus in WJH
SHILLONG: A Jaintia Students’ Union delegation called on Union Minister of State for Home Affairs, Kiren Rijiju in New Delhi on October 3 urging him to initiate action to resolve the inter-state border dispute with Assam besides ensuring that a NEHU campus is set up in Jowai.
The delegation also submitted a memorandum to the Union Minister of State requesting him to look into the pressing matters.
The JSU stated that people of Wahiajer Village in West Jaintia Hills were willing to donate land for the construction of NEHU campus in the area.
The memorandum pointed out that NEHU Vice Chancellor AN Rai had informed the JSU that an allocation of Rs. 400 cr has been proposed under the the Twelfth Plan (2012-2017) for the University, out of which Rs. 25 crore is meant for Jowai campus.
Through the memorandum, the pressure group stated that since several decades, the West and East Jaintia Hills Districts have been neglected by the State Government.
The memorandum also informed the Minister about the situation of the villages in Jaintia Hills, which share their border with Assam. It stated that such villages are being denied basic development amenities and the villagers are often harrased by Assam Police personnel.
The Assam Government officials disrupt construction of schools, health centres etc in those villages, the memorandum stated.
The memorandum also addressed the problem of exodus of Pnar people from Mukhim village to Moolabar village due to mistreatment from militant outfits and personnel of the Assam Police and demanded immediate action in solving the inter-state border issue.
