By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, Nov 23: The Voice of the People Party (VPP) has expressed deep concern over the condition of Khasi residents in Block I and Block II, alleging that they were “undemocratically severed” from their community during the reorganisation of the then United Khasi Jaintia Hills.
VPP Spokesperson Batskhem Myrboh said the affected Khasi population “were the victims of the minoritisation policy of the then Congress Government,” adding that “they were made a minority in their own land.”
Myrboh emphasised the ongoing harassment faced by these communities and called for urgent intervention from the Meghalaya government. “It is painful that they have been historically harassed and which is continuing even today,” he said.
He reiterated that the state has a duty to ensure the safety and security of these residents, and to pressure the Assam government to return the disputed territories. “The government of Meghalaya is duty bound to ensure that they live with security and to force the government of Assam to transfer back those areas to Meghalaya,” Myrboh added.
He further recalled that the issue had been raised earlier in the Assembly by VPP chief Ardent Basaiawmoit, who had claimed that the Assam government adopted “the policy of terrorising the Khasis as they wanted to grab their land,” describing it as “a well intended and coordinated action.”
The VPP reaffirmed solidarity with the people in Block I and II, demanding that the government act to “ensure safety to them so that they can live with dignity and security.” Recently, the Hynniewtrep Border Dispute Redressal Forum (HBDRF) had submitted a memorandum to the State Chief Minister and the Chief Secretary.
Shooting off a second reminder, the Hynniewtrep Border Dispute Redressal Forum (HBDRF) had sought an update from Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma on the steps taken by the state government to address the grievances of residents living in Block-I, along the Meghalaya-Assam boundary.
The forum expressed concern over the government’s continued silence despite multiple representations and meetings on the long-pending border issues.
