SHILLONG: Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) CEM HS Shylla was peeved at the ongoing international border fencing asserting that large amount of land will be transferred to Bangladesh.
Addressing a press conference here on Tuesday, Shylla said the international border fencing from Lyngkhat till Dawki was done without permission from the KHADC as the authorities did not seek NoC from the Council.
“Will write a letter to the Deputy Commissioner of East Khasi Hills to take immediate action to stop the fencing,” he said adding there is no need for a District Council if the government does not heed the demand.
On Tuesday, a joint inspection was conducted at the border areas from Lyngkhat till Dawki by the KHADC, Deputy Commissioner’s Office, land owners, Sordars, headmen and the Coordination Committee on International Border (CCIB).
While expressing concern, Shylla said that a number of villages in Meghalaya such as Umkrem, Umsyiem in Pynursla will be transferred to Bangladesh if the fencing takes place.
Stating that the people in the international border areas are harassed, he said, “Even the residents of Pyrdiwah are anxious about the international border fencing.”
Pointing to the land Boundary agreement signed on September 6, 2011, the CEM said the state suffered a huge loss and asserted that the details of the agreement with Bangladesh should be made public. With the ongoing inter-state boundary dispute with Assam, he also opposed the need to have a join Assam-Meghalaya cadre.
According to Shylla, Inner Line Permit is a better option than border fencing and said ILP will usher in peace and harmony in the state.
Speaking to reporters after the inspection at Dawki, he said that former chief minister Mukul Sangma, former deputy chief ministers Rowell Lyngdoh and RC, Laloo, cabinet ministers Prestone Tynsong and Lahkmen Rymbui should give details of the agreement.
He informed that a meeting will be convened with the leaders of CCIB to chalk out future course of action.
Other than getting annoyed at the state government over the border fencing, he also criticised politicians and termed them hypocrites who want the council election to be held in haste even as the parties are struggling with anti-defection.
“They want the elections to be held at the earliest and even with the amendment of the Sixth Schedule, they do not want the House to be extended,” he said.
He grabbed the opportunity to criticise the party he is in, NPP as “No Principle Party and No Policy Party”
“They all enter politics because they are unemployed,” he said.
