TURA, Oct 17: The Association for Democracy and Empowerment (ADE) in Garo Hills along with other organisations from the region has urged the Meghalaya government to look into the border dispute with Assam being witnessed at several villages under Ri Bhoi even as it asked Chief Minister Conrad Sangma to personally visit the site and direct concerned authorities to conduct a survey of the areas.
According to the association, the border dispute is affecting people living in several villages like Maikhuli, Jongkhuli, Pilangkata and others on the Meghalaya side. It alleged that as per recent understanding between the two neighbouring states, some areas under the state including the said villages have been gifted by Meghalaya to Assam without the knowledge of the residents.
“The ADE, along with the GSU, AYWO, FKJGP and FAF vehemently condemns this decision of the Meghalaya Government and demands that it reconsiders it as soon as possible. We the conglomeration NGOs from Garo Hills offers complete support to the people of those localities and stands with them in their fight against the undemocratic resolution,” ADE president Dalseng Bira Ch Momin said.
The ADE along with the supporting organisations warned that if the grievances of the people are not addressed and the gifting away of land as claimed by villagers is not reversed, they would be forced to initiate a mass agitation against the government in the near future.
