SHILLONG: Protesting over the death of a Khasi resident in Block II, Ri-Bhoi, president of Khasi Students’ Union (KSU) Lambokstarwell Marngar asserted that the chief ministers of both the states of Meghalaya and Assam should meet to resolve the long-pending boundary dispute.
Addressing the gathering at the sit-in demonstration on Wednesday, he said the state government should show action on the ground by protecting the residents in the border areas by deploying security forces.
Peeved at the murder of Tyngshain Mukhim by a Nepali resident, Ramesh Thapa, the KSU president said that the union will also have an appointment with Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal soon.
Criticizing the state government for not deploying security forces in inter-state boundary areas, he said it is the failure of the state government as there was no state police personnel in the state boundary areas.
He warned if the state erupts in chaos, the state government should take the responsibility. “On what basis did we get statehood when we don’t have proper boundary,” he said.
Arguing that police personnel have already gathered at the sit-in demonstration of KSU, Marngar said, “When the government could send the police forces before we reached in case any chaos erupts, why not the government send the police personnel to provide security to the areas in Block II?”
He added that the union did not gather with an intention to create trouble but said the union expressed unhappiness for the unresolved boundary dispute and the harassment faced by fellow Khasis in the border areas of Meghalaya-Assam.
Calling upon the state government to bring about peace and security in the border areas, he said, “If the state government feels that it is short of manpower, then it should tell the residents to get ready with arms and go to Block II, Langpih to protect their boundary.”
“How many deaths will we witness in the border areas? A blanker cover of police personnel can be seen when there was an agitation at Them metor, why there is no policeman when the Khasi community faces harassment in Block I and II?” Marngar said.
Stating that they are weary of sending letters to the state government, the KSU president said the writing would be in blood and no longer in ink.
Stating that the government is taking non-violent route, he said, “If our non-violent moves are not fruitful. We call upon the members to be ready to protect our own.”