Assam-Meghalaya border row: Various Karbi organisations protest ‘give and take’ policy

DIPHU — Various social and political organisations of West Karbi Anglong on Friday staged a sit-in protest at the district headquarters, Hamren, against the ‘give and take’ policy of the Assam and Meghalaya governments pertaining to state boundary. Hamren is 129 KM from Diphu.

Despite heavy downpour, the members remained calm and listened to speeches given by their leaders.

Speaking to media persons, the chief convenor of Hills Tribal League, Khorsing Teron said, “Our first demand is the withdrawal of the committee headed by minister, Piyush Hazarika, because in our understanding there is no dispute along the Karbi Anglong and Meghalaya boundary. The dispute is an invented one by a vested interest group from Meghalaya.”

Teron informed that they submitted a memorandum to the chief minister of Assam through the deputy commissioner of West Karbi Anglong by placing six-point demand including safety and security of the lives and properties in West Karbi Anglong bordering Meghalaya; withdrawal of the committee headed by Piyush Hazarika; punish culprits of incidents that took place at Mothade (B), Am-Ih, Tadolangso, Rong Ningkreng; to take immediate step in providing relief and rehabilitation to the affected families; permanent station of adequate security personnel in borders areas and to take special development scheme in the border areas including construction of all weather roads from the district headquarter.

The sit-in demonstration was attended by ASDC president, Chandra Kanta Terang; AATPC chief convenor, Holiram Terang; convenor of HTC, Saising Rongpi; KARAA president, Harsing Ronghang; JCCPA general secretary, Rabindra Rongpi; KSA president, Jemson Timung; and KNCA general secretary, Kajek Tokbipi.