From Our Correspondent
NONGPOH, Dec 2: The residents of Maikhuli village along the Meghalaya–Assam border have formally reached a reconciliation agreement following recent tensions arising from the alleged blackening of the MGNREGA foundation stone of the village pond project by individuals from Assam. The situation, which had caused unrest in the area over the past few days, has now been resolved through mutual understanding, with both sides agreeing to restore peace and cooperation.
The signing of the joint settlement document involved five representatives from Assam and five from Meghalaya in the presence of members of the Peace Committee from Assam, community leaders of Maikhuli, several pressure groups from Meghalaya, and Eric Kevin Dkhar, Magistrate of Ri-Bhoi.
The agreement was signed during a meeting held in Maikhuli on Tuesday evening. The resolution binds both sides to maintain peaceful coexistence, uphold mutual respect, and refrain from activities that may instigate border discord. Importantly, it allows for the reinstatement of electric posts that were earlier dismantled and obstructed during the period of tension.
Additionally, the accord assures that residents of Maikhuli may once again mark and maintain the MGNREGA foundation stone of the pond project that had been allegedly painted with black colour in the past few days, along with other commitments ensuring that such confrontations are not repeated in the border belt.
Meanwhile, the MLA of Jirang constituency and Minister in charge of the Community and Rural Development Department, Sosthenes Sohtun, stated that neither he nor the government wishes to see disturbances along the border villages.
He said that immediately upon receiving reports of the incident, he personally relayed the matter to the Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister, while instructing the Deputy Commissioner and the police authorities to intervene promptly. He added that every step is being taken to ensure that residents can live in harmony without fear or conflict.
