Block-II residents plead for end to border dispute
By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: Aggrieved residents of the disputed areas of Block-II on Tuesday expressed their desire for peace and maintained that they were even willing to be a part of Assam as long as it would ensure lasting peace.
Making their stance known here during a press conference on Tuesday, residents of Block-II and members of the Block -II Area Peace and Development Association (BAPDA) demanded for the early settlement of the boundary row to end the growing fear of unrest amongst the inhabitants of the border areas.
“We call upon the government of both the states to sort out the problem at the earliest and amicably,” BAPDA president Piu Sten said, adding, “We don’t mind if we fall in either Assam or Meghalaya as long as there is peace and development.”
The delegations which included heads of the Khasi, Karbi, Tiwa and Nepali residents of the disputed Block-II areas expressed their disappointment over the delay by the two state governments in solving the long-pending boundary row and at the same time conveyed fears of recurrence of the horrific unrest erupting out of the inter-State boundary row.
Recalling the 2010 Langpih incident which led to the death of four innocent people, Sten said, “We want development and not trouble. We are worried the way things are. How can we possible live in peace when the fear of disruption of peace is looming over our heads?” Recently, pressure mounted on the State Government from the local NGOs and political leaders following the construction of an entrance gate by the Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council and the State bank of India building at Sabuda.
“Whoever wants to dismantle the entrance gate or the SBI building will have to take the responsibility of what follows thereafter,” member of BAPDA, P Shadap, said while suggesting that the same should be settled by the two governments in an amicable manner.
Shadap also informed that the SBI building has proved to be an asset for the residents of the area and has added a little more comfort to their lives.
